Les Misérables · Chapter
Jondrette Comes Near Weeping explained
M.
What happens
M. Leblanc and his daughter visit the Jondrette hovel, bringing clothes and blankets. Jondrette, posing as the dramatic artist Fabantou, exaggerates his family's misery to extract money, claiming debts and injuries. M. Leblanc gives five francs and promises to return at six with sixty francs, leaving his overcoat behind. Jondrette, suspicious, instructs his wife to scrutinize the benefactor.
Themes in this chapter
Social Injustice and Poverty
The Jondrette family's desperate poverty and manipulation expose the harsh realities of urban destitution.
Mercy and Forgiveness
M. Leblanc's charitable response to the Jondrettes' fabricated plight reflects a theme of mercy, though it is met with deceit.
Characters to notice
- M. Leblanc
Visits the Jondrette hovel as a benefactor, bringing clothes and blankets, and promises to return with money.
- Thénardier
Disguised as Jondrette/Fabantou, he exaggerates his family's suffering to manipulate M. Leblanc into giving money.
- Madame Thénardier
Lies in bed feigning illness; Thénardier instructs her to scrutinize M. Leblanc.
- Éponine
The eldest daughter, who confirms the signature 'Fabantou' on the letter and later points out the forgotten overcoat.
- Azelma
The younger daughter, whose hand is pinched by Thénardier to make her cry and gain sympathy.
- Marius Pontmercy
Observes the scene from his hiding place, though not directly interacting.
Key passages
“M. Leblanc approached, with his sad but kindly look, and said to Jondrette the father:— “Monsieur, in this package you will find some new clothes and some woollen stockings and blankets.””
M. Leblanc, looking both sorrowful and gentle, handed Jondrette a package containing new clothes, wool stockings, and blankets.
Shows M. Leblanc's initial act of charity.
““Our angelic benefactor overwhelms us,” said Jondrette, bowing to the very earth.”
Jondrette bowed deeply and called M. Leblanc their angelic benefactor, overwhelmed by the gifts.
Highlights Jondrette's exaggerated flattery.
““Cry! bawl!” said Jondrette to her in a low voice. At the same time he pinched her sore hand.”
Jondrette whispered to his daughter to cry loudly, then pinched her injured hand to provoke tears.
Reveals Jondrette's cruel manipulation of his own child for sympathy.
““I will be here at six, and I will fetch you the sixty francs.””
M. Leblanc promised to return at six o'clock with the sixty francs needed to pay the rent.
Sets up the impending ambush and M. Leblanc's unwitting involvement.