# The Use Made of Marius’ Five-Franc Piece explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

Marius observes the Jondrette apartment through a hole in the partition, witnessing preparations for a sinister ambush. Jondrette sends his wife to light the way for their expected victim, using the five francs Marius gave him earlier. Marius, armed with a pistol, watches as Jondrette readies tools and a rope ladder, realizing the danger.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice vs. Law

Marius grapples with the moral dilemma of intervening in a crime versus allowing the law to take its course.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The Jondrettes' poverty drives them to criminal acts, highlighting the suffering that leads to moral compromise.

## Character check-ins

### Marius Pontmercy

Observes the Jondrette apartment from his hiding spot, prepares to intervene with a pistol.

### Thénardier

Plans an ambush, uses the five francs from Marius to pay for a fiacre, and readies tools and a rope ladder.

### Madame Thénardier

Dresses up to inspire confidence, follows Jondrette's orders to light the way and pay the coachman.

## Key lines

> That is the monarch which our neighbor gave us this morning.

Jondrette refers to the five-franc coin Marius gave him as 'the monarch.'

_Shows Jondrette's cynical use of Marius's charity to fund his criminal plot._

> The hovel was completely illuminated, as it were, by the reflection from a rather large sheet-iron brazier standing in the fireplace, and filled with burning charcoal.

The room was lit by a brazier of glowing charcoal in the fireplace.

_Describes the ominous lighting of the Jondrette apartment, setting the scene for the ambush._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xvii-the-use-made-of-marius-five-franc-piece
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters