Les Misérables · Chapter
In Which a Police Agent Bestows Two Fistfuls on a Lawyer explained
Marius goes to the police commissary to report the plot he overheard against a man he does not know.
What happens
Marius goes to the police commissary to report the plot he overheard against a man he does not know. He speaks with Inspector Javert, who deduces the involvement of the Patron-Minette gang. Javert gives Marius two pistols and instructs him to hide in his room, fire a shot when the trap is sprung, and wait for the police to intervene.
Themes in this chapter
Justice vs. Law
Javert represents the law, but his methods—arming a civilian and orchestrating a trap—blur the line between lawful procedure and personal enforcement of justice.
Characters to notice
- Marius Pontmercy
Marius reports the plot to the police and receives instructions and pistols from Inspector Javert.
- Javert
Inspector Javert, acting in place of the commissary, listens to Marius's report, identifies the gang, and arms Marius with pistols.
Key passages
““Are you afraid?” “Of what?” said Marius. “Of these men?” “No more than yourself!” retorted Marius rudely, who had begun to notice that this police agent had not yet said “monsieur” to him.”
Javert asks Marius if he is afraid of the criminals; Marius retorts that he is no more afraid than Javert, offended by the inspector's lack of courtesy.
Marius shows defiance and pride, refusing to be intimidated by either the criminals or the police.
““Take these. Go home. Hide in your chamber, so that you may be supposed to have gone out. They are loaded. Each one carries two balls. You will keep watch; there is a hole in the wall, as you have informed me. These men will come. Leave them to their own devices for a time. When you think matters have reached a crisis, and that it is time to put a stop to them, fire a shot. Not too soon. The rest concerns me.””
Javert gives Marius two loaded pistols and instructs him to hide in his room, observe through the hole in the wall, and fire a shot at the critical moment to signal the police.
Javert's plan relies on Marius acting as a hidden agent, highlighting the trust and risk placed on a civilian in police operations.