# VII: The Situation Becomes Aggravated explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

As dawn breaks, the barricade is fortified and the insurgents prepare for a renewed assault. A cannon is brought into position and fires upon the barricade, but Gavroche's return lifts spirits as the ball causes only minor damage.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The barricade is fortified and the insurgents prepare for a decisive confrontation with the army, highlighting the intensity of revolutionary struggle.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The combatants embrace despair as their last weapon, ready to sacrifice themselves in the face of overwhelming force.

## Character check-ins

### Enjolras

Commands the barricade, orders further fortification and gives the order to fire on the approaching cannon.

### Courfeyrac

Comments wryly on the barricade being a fortress but a rat hole, and later jokes about the cannon.

### Bossuet

Praises the cannoneers and engages in technical discussion about cannon design.

### Combeferre

Provides detailed analysis of the cannon's construction and ballistic properties.

### Gavroche

Returns to the barricade just as the cannon fires, climbing over the auxiliary barricade and lifting spirits.

## Key lines

> A fortress but a rat hole too

Courfeyrac jokes that the barricade, though strong, traps them inside with no escape.

_Courfeyrac's remark underscores the fatalistic humor of the insurgents._

> despair—the last weapon, which sometimes gives victory

The narrator observes that despair can be a powerful force, even leading to triumph against the odds.

_Reflects the theme of sacrifice and the paradoxical strength found in hopelessness._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-situation-becomes-aggravated
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters