# Facts Whence History Springs and Which History Ignores explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter describes the revolutionary ferment in Paris, particularly in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, during the late 1830s. It details the secret meetings, plotting, and preparations for an uprising among workers and students, highlighting the tension between the oppressed masses and the ruling classes. The author reflects on the nature of revolution, contrasting the 'savages of civilization' with the 'civilized men of barbarism,' and emphasizes the role of misery and ideas in driving social upheaval.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The chapter vividly depicts the revolutionary fervor in the Faubourg Saint-Antoine, with secret meetings, plotting, and the population's readiness for insurrection.

### Social Injustice and Poverty

The text emphasizes misery as both cause and effect of revolution, describing the distress hidden under attic roofs and the oppression that drives the people to revolt.

### The Human Condition and Fate

The author reflects on the dual nature of revolutionary crowds—savage yet striving for progress—and the broader human struggle between barbarism and civilization.

## Character check-ins

### Enjolras

Mentioned as a leader of the Society of the Friends of the A.B.C., meeting at the Café Musain.

### Courfeyrac

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Combeferre

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Feuilly

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Bossuet

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Joly

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Bahorel

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

### Grantaire

Implied as a member of the student groups meeting at the Café Musain and the Corinthe.

## Key lines

> When these bristling men, who in the early days of the revolutionary chaos, tattered, howling, wild, with uplifted bludgeon, pike on high, hurled themselves upon ancient Paris in an uproar, what did they want? They wanted an end to oppression, an end to tyranny, an end to the sword, work for men, instruction for the child, social sweetness for the woman, liberty, equality, fraternity, bread for all, the idea for all, the Edenizing of the world.

The ragged, shouting men who stormed Paris during the early revolution sought to end oppression and tyranny, demanding work, education, social kindness, liberty, equality, fraternity, and universal progress.

_This passage captures the idealistic yet violent nature of revolutionary crowds, a central theme of the chapter._

> For our part, if we were forced to make a choice between the barbarians of civilization and the civilized men of barbarism, we should choose the barbarians.

If forced to choose, the author would side with the rough revolutionaries over the polished defenders of the old order.

_This reflects the author's moral stance on the necessity of progress despite its violent manifestations._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/v-facts-whence-history-springs-and-which-history-ignores
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters