# VIII: The Enigma Becomes Doubly Mysterious explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean, having rescued Cosette, sits with her in a garden shed as she sleeps. He reflects on his new purpose in life, centered entirely on her. He notices a limping man with a bell moving through the garden, sparking fear of Javert or spies. When Cosette's hands become icy cold and she does not wake, Valjean panics, fearing she may die from the cold, and desperately seeks to warm her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Valjean gives his coat to cover Cosette, enduring cold himself, and is consumed by fear for her safety, highlighting his sacrificial devotion.

### Love and Compassion

Valjean's thoughts center entirely on Cosette's well-being, and his panic at her potential death reveals deep love and compassion.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Sits beside the sleeping Cosette, reflecting on his new purpose; becomes alarmed by a mysterious man in the garden and then by Cosette's coldness and unresponsiveness.

### Cosette

Sleeps with her head on a stone; her hands become icy cold and she does not wake when shaken, causing Valjean to fear for her life.

## Key lines

> He clearly perceived this truth, the foundation of his life henceforth, that so long as she was there, so long as he had her near him, he should need nothing except for her, he should fear nothing except for her.

Valjean realized that from now on, his entire life would revolve around Cosette: as long as she was with him, he would want nothing and fear nothing but for her safety.

_Valjean's new purpose and devotion to Cosette._

> He took the sleeping Cosette gently in his arms and carried her behind a heap of old furniture...

Valjean carefully lifted the sleeping Cosette and moved her to a hidden spot behind some discarded furniture.

_Valjean's protective action upon seeing the mysterious man._

> He remembered that sleep in the open air on a cold night may be fatal.

Valjean recalled that sleeping outside on a cold night could kill someone.

_Valjean's fear for Cosette's life due to the cold._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-the-enigma-becomes-doubly-mysterious
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