# X: The Man Aroused explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Jean Valjean awakens in the bishop's house, disturbed by the comfort of the bed. He becomes fixated on the silverware, contemplating theft. After a long internal struggle, he rises, prepares his knapsack, and retrieves a miner's candlestick, then moves toward the bishop's room.

## Themes in this chapter

### Redemption and Transformation

Valjean's internal struggle between his old criminal instincts and the bishop's kindness sets the stage for his potential transformation.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Valjean's past suffering in the galleys and his current poverty fuel his temptation.

## Character check-ins

### Jean Valjean

Awakens and wrestles with the temptation to steal the bishop's silver.

### Monseigneur Bienvenu

The bishop is asleep in the adjoining room, unaware of Valjean's intentions.

### Madame Magloire

Mentioned as having placed the silver in a cupboard near the bed.

## Key lines

> What woke him was that his bed was too good. It was nearly twenty years since he had slept in a bed, and, although he had not undressed, the sensation was too novel not to disturb his slumbers.

The unfamiliar comfort of the bed kept him from sleeping soundly.

_Highlights Valjean's long deprivation and the psychological impact of kindness._

> Those six sets of silver haunted him.⁠—They were there.⁠—A few paces distant.

The silverware on the table obsessed him, so close at hand.

_Shows the temptation that drives the chapter's action._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/x-the-man-aroused
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters