# VII: The Man Recruited in the Rue des Billettes explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Enjolras and the insurgents capture and bind Javert, who reveals himself as a police inspector. Gavroche identifies Javert as the man who arrested him earlier. Javert is tied to a post and sentenced to be shot ten minutes before the barricade falls, but Enjolras refuses to kill him immediately, asserting they are judges, not assassins.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice vs. Law

Enjolras and the insurgents act as judges, condemning Javert not as assassins but as arbiters of revolutionary justice, contrasting with Javert's role as an agent of the state's law.

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The capture of a police inspector within the barricade exemplifies the revolutionary struggle against authority and the breakdown of social order.

## Character check-ins

### Enjolras

Leads the capture and interrogation of Javert, asserting the insurgents' moral authority.

### Javert

Revealed as a police spy, captured, bound, and sentenced to death by the insurgents.

### Gavroche

Identifies Javert as the man who arrested him; assists in the barricade and is sent to scout by Enjolras.

### Courfeyrac

Among the insurgents who gather to witness Javert's capture.

### Bossuet

Present with the group that comes running to see Javert bound.

### Joly

Among the insurgents who gather after Javert is tied to the post.

## Key lines

> “You are a police spy?” “I am an agent of the authorities.” “And your name?” “Javert.”

Enjolras directly accuses the man of being a spy, and the man identifies himself as Inspector Javert.

_This exchange reveals Javert's identity and role, leading to his capture._

> “Spy,” said the handsome Enjolras, “we are judges and not assassins.”

Enjolras declares that the insurgents will execute justice rather than commit murder.

_Highlights the theme of justice vs. law and the moral stance of the revolutionaries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-man-recruited-in-the-rue-des-billettes
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters