# The Grandfather explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Marius, wounded and unconscious, is brought to his grandfather's house. The doctor tends to his injuries while M. Gillenormand, initially believing him dead, delivers a passionate and grief-stricken monologue, alternating between rage and love. When Marius briefly opens his eyes, the old man's despair turns to overwhelming joy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Compassion

M. Gillenormand's outburst reveals a deep, conflicted love for Marius, mixing fury at his political choices with profound grief and joy at his survival.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

Marius's severe wounds and near-death state embody the physical cost of his revolutionary ideals, while the grandfather's emotional agony reflects the personal toll of political conflict.

## Character check-ins

### Marius Pontmercy

Lying wounded and unconscious on a camp bed; has multiple injuries including a broken collarbone, sabre cuts, and head wounds; briefly opens his eyes.

### M. Gillenormand

The grandfather; initially appears as a phantom-like figure, then delivers a long, emotional speech mixing anger and love; collapses in joy when Marius opens his eyes.

### Mademoiselle Gillenormand

Aunt Gillenormand; panics and withdraws to her chamber to pray upon seeing Marius undressed.

### Basque

Helps carry Marius and tears up linen for bandages.

### Nicolette

Sews bandages for Marius's wounds.

## Key lines

> Marius! cried the old man. Marius! My little Marius! My child! My well-beloved son! You open your eyes, you gaze upon me, you are alive, thanks!

The grandfather cries out in joy when Marius opens his eyes, calling him his beloved child and expressing gratitude for his survival.

_This moment marks the emotional climax of the chapter, where grief transforms into relief._

> What's the use of being twenty years old? The Republic, a cursed pretty folly! Poor mothers, beget fine boys, do!

M. Gillenormand laments the waste of youth in political causes, sarcastically dismissing the Republic as a foolish reason to die.

_Reflects the generational and ideological clash between the old royalist and the young revolutionary._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xii-the-grandfather
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters