Les Misérables · Chapter
IV: He Also Bears His Cross explained
Jean Valjean carries the wounded Marius through the Paris sewers, struggling against exhaustion, darkness, and the treacherous terrain.
What happens
Jean Valjean carries the wounded Marius through the Paris sewers, struggling against exhaustion, darkness, and the treacherous terrain. He navigates the labyrinthine passages, eventually stopping to tend to Marius's wounds and discover his identity from a note in his pocket. Valjean then resumes his journey, descending further into the sewer as daylight fades.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Sacrifice
Jean Valjean endures immense physical hardship and self-sacrifice to save Marius, carrying him through the treacherous sewer despite his own exhaustion.
Characters to notice
- Jean Valjean
Carries the unconscious Marius through the sewers, enduring extreme fatigue and thirst, and tends to his wounds.
- Marius Pontmercy
Lies wounded and unconscious; Valjean finds his pocketbook with a note identifying him and requesting his body be taken to his grandfather.
Key passages
“Jean Valjean had resumed his march and had not again paused. This march became more and more laborious.”
Valjean continued walking without stopping, but the journey grew increasingly difficult.
Highlights Valjean's determination and the escalating challenge of his task.
“Jean Valjean, with the gentleness of movement which a brother would exercise towards his wounded brother, deposited Marius on the banquette of the sewer.”
Valjean carefully laid Marius down on the sewer ledge, as gently as a brother would treat a wounded sibling.
Emphasizes Valjean's compassion and care for Marius despite their past enmity.
“Jean Valjean read these four lines by the light of the air-hole, and remained for a moment as though absorbed in thought, repeating in a low tone: 'Rue des Filles-du-Calvaire, number 6, Monsieur Gillenormand.'”
Valjean read Marius's note by the dim light and murmured the address to himself, lost in thought.
Shows Valjean learning Marius's identity and his connection to Gillenormand.