Les Misérables · Chapter
A Chapter in Which They Adore Each Other explained
The chapter depicts a lively dinner conversation among the young lovers, where Favorite professes adoration for Blachevelle while secretly confessing her disdain for him and her true affection for a poor actor.
What happens
The chapter depicts a lively dinner conversation among the young lovers, where Favorite professes adoration for Blachevelle while secretly confessing her disdain for him and her true affection for a poor actor. The scene is filled with playful banter, singing, and drinking, revealing the superficiality and discontent beneath the surface of their relationships.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Compassion
The chapter explores the superficiality and deceit in romantic relationships, as Favorite's professed love for Blachevelle is revealed to be a lie, contrasting with her genuine affection for the poor actor.
Characters to notice
- Favorite
Favorite declares her love for Blachevelle but later confides to Dahlia that she actually detests him and is infatuated with a poor actor neighbor.
- Dahlia
Dahlia quietly questions Favorite about her feelings for Blachevelle, prompting Favorite's candid confession.
- Blachevelle
Blachevelle is the object of Favorite's feigned adoration; he reacts with smug satisfaction to her declarations.
- Tholomyès
Tholomyès is present and drinking during the dinner conversation.
- Zéphine
Zéphine is laughing during the meal.
Key passages
“Blachevelle, I adore you.”
Favorite tells Blachevelle that she loves him deeply.
This declaration is later revealed to be insincere.
“I? I detest him. He is avaricious. I love the little fellow opposite me in my house.”
Favorite admits to Dahlia that she actually hates Blachevelle because he is stingy, and she is in love with a poor young man living across from her.
This confession exposes the theme of false love and hidden desires.