Les Misérables · Chapter
At Bombarda’s explained
The chapter describes a festive dinner at Bombarda's public house in the Champs-Élysées, where four couples enjoy a leisurely meal after a day of Russian mountains.
What happens
The chapter describes a festive dinner at Bombarda's public house in the Champs-Élysées, where four couples enjoy a leisurely meal after a day of Russian mountains. The scene is set against the backdrop of a peaceful, royalist Paris in 1817, with the author reflecting on the true nature of the Parisian populace—seemingly indolent and harmless, but capable of revolutionary fury when roused.
Themes in this chapter
Revolution and Social Upheaval
The chapter contrasts the apparent peace of 1817 with the latent revolutionary spirit of the Parisian populace, suggesting that beneath the surface of royalist calm lies the potential for upheaval.
The Human Condition and Fate
The author reflects on the dual nature of the Parisian—frivolous and lazy yet capable of epic deeds—highlighting the unpredictable and transformative aspects of human character.
Key passages
“no one sleeps more soundly than he, no one is more frankly frivolous and lazy than he, no one can better assume the air of forgetfulness; let him not be trusted nevertheless; he is ready for any sort of cool deed; but when there is glory at the end of it, he is worthy of admiration in every sort of fury.”
The Parisian appears carefree and idle, but beneath this facade lies a readiness for bold, even violent action when inspired by glory or liberty.
This passage encapsulates the author's view of the Parisian populace as deceptively powerful and revolutionary.
“Give him a pike, he will produce the 10th of August; give him a gun, you will have Austerlitz.”
Arm the Parisian with a pike and he will storm the Tuileries; give him a gun and he will win a great battle.
This metaphor links the common man to both revolutionary and military triumphs, emphasizing his transformative potential.