Les Misérables · Chapter
VI: The Two Old Men Do Everything, Each One After His Own Fashion, to Render Cosette Happy explained
As the wedding approaches, Jean Valjean works behind the scenes to secure Cosette's legal status and fortune, fabricating a family history and establishing himself as her guardian under the name Fauchelevent.
What happens
As the wedding approaches, Jean Valjean works behind the scenes to secure Cosette's legal status and fortune, fabricating a family history and establishing himself as her guardian under the name Fauchelevent. Meanwhile, M. Gillenormand indulges in lavish gift-giving and plans for the couple to live with him, while Cosette and Marius bask in their happiness, with Cosette learning of her true parentage but remaining joyful.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Compassion
Cosette and Marius's deep love is central, with Jean Valjean's selfless efforts to secure Cosette's happiness reflecting compassionate sacrifice.
Redemption and Transformation
Jean Valjean's transformation from convict to guardian and benefactor is evident as he orchestrates Cosette's secure future, symbolizing his redemption.
The Human Condition and Fate
The chapter explores how happiness and identity are shaped by social status, inheritance, and the secrets of the past, as Cosette's origin is redefined.
Characters to notice
- Jean Valjean
Arranges Cosette's civil status, fabricates a family history, and secures her inheritance, acting as her guardian under the name Fauchelevent.
- Cosette
Learns she is not Jean Valjean's daughter but a kinsman's child; remains joyful and grateful, calling him 'Father' and delighting in wedding preparations.
- Marius Pontmercy
Deeply in love with Cosette, he discusses revolutionary figures with Gillenormand, who playfully twists his words into a gift idea.
- M. Gillenormand
Overwhelms Cosette with extravagant gifts and compliments, insists the couple live with him, and plans to give them his finest chamber.
- Mademoiselle Gillenormand
Resentful at not being consulted about the marriage, she considers her inheritance but is swayed by Cosette's half-million francs.
Key passages
“He rifled his respectable chests of drawers in Coromandel lacquer, with swelling fronts, which had not been opened for years.—'Let us hear the confession of these dowagers,' he said, 'let us see what they have in their paunches.'”
He eagerly opened his old, ornate chests that had been sealed for years, joking that he wanted to uncover the secrets of the antique fabrics inside.
Gillenormand's playful and extravagant nature is shown as he ransacks his heirlooms for Cosette's wedding gifts.
“Dry happiness resembles dry bread. One eats, but one does not dine. I want the superfluous, the useless, the extravagant, excess, that which serves no purpose.”
Bare happiness is like plain bread—it sustains but doesn't satisfy. I insist on luxury, on things that are unnecessary and excessive, for true joy.
Gillenormand articulates his philosophy that happiness must be seasoned with extravagance, contrasting with simpler notions of contentment.