# IV: He Also Bears His Cross explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-he-also-bears-his-cross
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters