# Minus Five, Plus One explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

At the barricade, as the insurgents prepare for a final stand, a debate erupts over which of them should leave to care for their families. Combeferre delivers a passionate speech about the suffering of women and children left behind. Marius and Enjolras urge those with dependents to depart, and five men are chosen. However, there are only four uniforms to disguise them. Just as a dispute arises over who must stay, Jean Valjean arrives in a National Guardsman's uniform, providing the fifth uniform and saving the extra man.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The insurgents debate who should sacrifice their life for the cause versus who should return to their families, highlighting the personal cost of revolution.

### Love and Compassion

Combeferre's speech appeals to the men's love for their families and the need to protect women and children from poverty and prostitution.

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The barricade is a focal point of the insurrection, with the characters preparing for a final, doomed stand.

## Character check-ins

### Marius Pontmercy

Recognizes Jean Valjean and vouches for him; urges the men with families to leave the barricade.

### Jean Valjean

Enters the barricade in a National Guardsman's uniform, provides the fifth uniform, and is welcomed by Enjolras.

### Enjolras

Orders the men with families to leave; welcomes Jean Valjean as a citizen.

### Combeferre

Delivers a moving speech about the suffering of women and children, urging the men to think of their families.

### Bossuet

Asks who the newcomer is when Jean Valjean arrives.

### Courfeyrac

Urges the men to hurry in deciding who will leave.

## Key lines

> He is a man who saves others.

Combeferre describes Jean Valjean as someone who rescues people.

_Said by Combeferre when Bossuet asks who the newcomer is._

> You know that we are about to die.

Enjolras tells Jean Valjean that they are all facing death.

_Enjolras's welcome to Jean Valjean upon his arrival at the barricade._

> I entreat you.

Marius pleads with the men to leave.

_Marius's entreaty after Enjolras orders the men with families to step out._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-minus-five-plus-one
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters