# Cloistered explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean and Cosette settle into the convent of Petit-Picpus, where Valjean works as a gardener and Cosette becomes a student. Valjean reflects on the parallels between the convent and the galleys, finding humility and gratitude through his new life. Cosette, once silent from suffering, begins to laugh and thrive. Valjean locks away her old mourning clothes, and the two find happiness within the convent walls.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Transformation

Valjean's life in the convent completes the Bishop's work, turning him from pride to humility and gratitude.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Valjean compares the harshness of the galleys with the austere life of the nuns, both forms of expiation.

### Love and Compassion

Valjean's love for Cosette and the joy he finds in her happiness, as well as the nuns' silent care, embody compassion.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Works as a gardener, reflects on his past in the galleys and the convent's role in his redemption, and cherishes his time with Cosette.

### Cosette

Adapts to convent life, regains her laughter, and adores Jean Valjean; she regrets not bringing her doll Catherine.

### Father Fauchelevent

Shares the gardener's hut with Valjean, benefits from Valjean's work, and enjoys more snuff paid for by Valjean.

## Key lines

> The joy which we inspire has this charming property, that, far from growing meagre, like all reflections, it returns to us more radiant than ever.

The happiness we give to others comes back to us even brighter, unlike a reflection that fades.

_Reflects Valjean's joy in seeing Cosette happy._

> A smile is the same as sunshine; it banishes winter from the human countenance.

A smile works like sunlight, driving away coldness and gloom from a person's face.

_Describes Cosette's transformation from sadness to cheerfulness._

> This house was a prison likewise and bore a melancholy resemblance to that other one whence he had fled, and yet he had never conceived an idea of anything similar.

The convent was also a prison, sadly similar to the one he escaped, but he never imagined such a place existed.

_Valjean's meditation on the parallels between the galleys and the cloister._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-cloistered
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters