Les Misérables · Chapter
XI: The Shot Which Misses Nothing and Kills No One explained
The besieging forces continue firing on the barricade at Corinthe, but the insurgents do not return fire, conserving their ammunition.
What happens
The besieging forces continue firing on the barricade at Corinthe, but the insurgents do not return fire, conserving their ammunition. Enjolras recognizes this as a tactic to exhaust their supplies. Gavroche and Courfeyrac mock the attackers' efforts. When a fireman and then an officer appear on a neighboring roof to spy on the barricade, Jean Valjean shoots their helmets off, driving them away without killing them. Bossuet questions why Valjean did not kill the man, but Valjean remains silent.
Themes in this chapter
Mercy and Forgiveness
Jean Valjean deliberately spares the lives of the fireman and officer by shooting only their helmets, demonstrating mercy even in battle.
Revolution and Social Upheaval
The barricade battle exemplifies the violent struggle of the 1832 uprising, with insurgents employing strategic restraint against government forces.
Characters to notice
- Enjolras
Leads the barricade, recognizes the enemy's tactic to exhaust ammunition, and orders no return fire.
- Gavroche
Shows disdain for the enemy fire, puffing out his cheek with his tongue and mocking them.
- Courfeyrac
Jests about the grapeshot's lack of effect, calling the cannon 'diffuse.'
- Jean Valjean
Shoots the helmets off a fireman and an officer spying from a roof, deliberately missing the men, and remains silent when questioned.
- Bossuet
Asks Jean Valjean why he did not kill the fireman.
Key passages
“At every discharge by platoons, Gavroche puffed out his cheek with his tongue, a sign of supreme disdain. 'Good for you,' said he, 'rip up the cloth. We want some lint.'”
With each volley from the soldiers, Gavroche showed his contempt by puffing out his cheek and taunting them, saying they were just shredding fabric for bandages.
Gavroche's mockery highlights the insurgents' defiance and dark humor in the face of danger.
“Without saying a word, he took aim at the fireman, and, a second later, the helmet, smashed by a bullet, rattled noisily into the street.”
Jean Valjean silently aimed at the fireman and shot, hitting only the helmet, which clattered down into the street.
Valjean's precise shot demonstrates his skill and his choice to wound pride rather than take life.