Some Petticoat explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Love and Compassion

  Marius's act of placing flowers on his father's grave demonstrates his enduring love and respect for his father, despite family opposition.

• The Human Condition and Fate

  The chapter explores the human tendency to assume romantic motives (the 'petticoat') when the truth is a son's grief, highlighting misunderstandings and the complexity of human emotions.

Characters to notice

• Marius Pontmercy

  Marius travels to Vernon and visits his father's grave, placing flowers there, revealing his hidden grief.

• Théodule

  Lieutenant Théodule, the grand-nephew, is recruited by his aunt to spy on Marius; he follows Marius to the cemetery.

• Mademoiselle Gillenormand

  Aunt Gillenormand, suspicious of Marius's absences, enlists Théodule to investigate, suspecting a romantic affair.

• M. Gillenormand

  M. Gillenormand grants Marius permission to travel, but his remark about 'passing the night out' hints at his disapproval.

• Georges Pontmercy

  Marius visits the grave of Colonel Baron Pontmercy, his father, placing flowers there.

Key passages

• “he going to carry those flowers to? She must be a splendidly handsome woman for so fine a bouquet. I want to see her.”

  Théodule assumes Marius is meeting a beautiful woman because of the fine bouquet he bought.

  Théodule's curiosity leads him to follow Marius, expecting a romantic rendezvous.

• “The 'lass' was a grave.”

  The woman Théodule expected turned out to be the grave of Marius's father.

  The reveal underscores the irony of the family's suspicions.

• “Some petticoat or other.”

  Théodule suggests that Marius's secret involves a woman.

  This phrase captures the family's assumption that Marius's absences are due to a romantic affair.