# IX: Thénardier and His Manouvres explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Thénardier prepares an inflated bill for the traveller, while his wife expresses her desire to be rid of Cosette. The traveller offers to take Cosette away, and after a tense negotiation with Thénardier, who feigns attachment to the child, the man pays the bill and leaves with Cosette, who is dressed in new black clothes and carries a pink doll.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Poverty

The Thénardiers exploit Cosette's vulnerability for financial gain, and the inflated bill exemplifies the economic oppression of the poor.

### Redemption and Transformation

Jean Valjean's rescue of Cosette marks a pivotal step in his moral transformation, as he uses his wealth to liberate her from abuse.

### Love and Compassion

Valjean's kindness toward Cosette, offering her a doll and new clothes, contrasts sharply with the Thénardiers' cruelty, embodying selfless love.

## Character check-ins

### Thénardier

Crafts an exorbitant bill for the traveller and feigns affection for Cosette to extract more money.

### Madame Thénardier

Eager to be rid of Cosette and initially hesitant to present the inflated bill, but ultimately complies.

### Cosette

Receives a new black outfit and a pink doll from the traveller, and leaves the Thénardier tavern with him, feeling safe and hopeful.

### Jean Valjean

Disguised as a poor traveller, he negotiates with the Thénardiers and takes Cosette away, providing her with new clothes and a doll.

## Key lines

> What if one were to rid you of her? Who? Cosette? Yes. The landlady’s red and violent face brightened up hideously. Ah! sir, my dear sir, take her, keep her, lead her off, carry her away, sugar her, stuff her with truffles, drink her, eat her, and the blessings of the good holy Virgin and of all the saints of paradise be upon you!

When the traveller offers to take Cosette away, Madame Thénardier eagerly agrees, expressing her desire to be rid of the child with grotesque enthusiasm.

_This exchange reveals the Thénardiers' utter lack of genuine care for Cosette, viewing her as a burden to be discarded._

> Cosette walked along gravely, with her large eyes wide open, and gazing at the sky. She had put her louis in the pocket of her new apron. From time to time, she bent down and glanced at it; then she looked at the good man. She felt something as though she were beside the good God.

As Cosette leaves with the traveller, she feels a sense of awe and safety, clutching her new coin and doll, and perceives him as a divine protector.

_This moment symbolizes Cosette's transition from a life of misery to one of hope and care, highlighting the transformative power of compassion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-th-nardier-and-his-manouvres
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters