Les Misérables · Chapter
Gavroche as a Profound Calculator of Distances explained
Marius, having kissed the brow of the dying Éponine, reads Cosette's letter revealing that her father is taking her to England.
What happens
Marius, having kissed the brow of the dying Éponine, reads Cosette's letter revealing that her father is taking her to England. He writes a farewell letter to Cosette and a note to his grandfather, then entrusts Gavroche with delivering the letter to Cosette immediately. Gavroche agrees and runs off, planning to deliver it and return before the barricade is attacked.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Sacrifice
Éponine's death and Marius's acceptance of his own death highlight the theme of sacrifice for love and duty.
Love and Compassion
Marius's kiss on Éponine's brow and his tender farewell to Cosette through a letter demonstrate love and compassion.
Characters to notice
- Marius Pontmercy
Marius reads Cosette's letter, writes farewell notes, and sends Gavroche to deliver a letter to Cosette.
- Éponine
Éponine dies after having intercepted Cosette's letter and led Marius to the barricade.
- Cosette
Cosette's letter to Marius reveals her father is taking her to England; she entrusted the letter to Éponine.
- Gavroche
Gavroche agrees to deliver Marius's letter to Cosette and runs off through Mondétour lane.
- Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean decides to move to the Rue de l'Homme Armé and then to England, prompting Cosette's letter.
- M. Gillenormand
Marius writes a note asking for his body to be taken to his grandfather, M. Gillenormand.
Key passages
“Marius kept his promise. He dropped a kiss on that livid brow, where the icy perspiration stood in beads. This was no infidelity to Cosette; it was a gentle and pensive farewell to an unhappy soul.”
Marius fulfilled his vow by kissing Éponine's cold, sweaty forehead, a tender and thoughtful goodbye to a suffering soul, not a betrayal of Cosette.
Marius's compassionate farewell to the dying Éponine.
“She died with the tragic joy of jealous hearts who drag the beloved being into their own death, and who say: 'No one shall have him!'”
Éponine died with the bitter happiness of a jealous person who pulls the one they love into death with them, thinking, 'No one else will possess him.'
Éponine's motive for leading Marius to the barricade.
“The fatigue of living is insupportable; death is sooner over with.”
The weariness of life is unbearable; dying is quicker and easier.
Marius's despairing thought as he contemplates death.