# Foot to Foot explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

The final assault on the barricade at the Corinthe wine-shop is depicted. As the center of the barricade collapses under cannon fire, the insurgents retreat to the wine-shop. Enjolras and Marius lead the defense, with Enjolras killing an officer and shielding his men as they barricade themselves inside. Marius is wounded and collapses, believing he will be captured and shot. The soldiers, enraged by false rumors of prisoner mutilation, lay siege to the wine-shop with brutal intensity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Revolution and Social Upheaval

The chapter depicts the brutal climax of the barricade battle, highlighting the ferocity and desperation of revolutionary conflict.

### Suffering and Sacrifice

The deaths of Mabeuf and Gavroche, the wounding of Marius, and the self-sacrifice of Enjolras and the insurgents underscore the theme of suffering for a cause.

### The Human Condition and Fate

The instinct of self-preservation and the monstrous transformation of men in battle reflect on the human condition under extreme duress.

## Character check-ins

### Enjolras

Leads the final defense, kills an officer, and shields his comrades as they retreat into the wine-shop.

### Marius Pontmercy

Wounded by a shot to the collarbone, collapses outside the wine-shop, and briefly loses consciousness.

### M. Mabeuf

Lies dead under a black cloth on a table inside the wine-shop, his hand hanging near the floor.

### Gavroche

Lies dead beside Mabeuf under the same black cloth.

### Courfeyrac

Previously part of the center defense that gave way during the assault.

### Joly

Previously part of the center defense that gave way during the assault.

### Bossuet

Previously part of the center defense that gave way during the assault.

### Combeferre

Previously part of the center defense that gave way during the assault.

## Key lines

> Let us sell our lives dearly.

Enjolras urges his comrades to fight to the death, making their stand as costly as possible for the enemy.

_Enjolras's rallying cry before the final assault on the barricade._

> There is but one door open; this one.

Enjolras declares that the only escape is through the wine-shop door he is defending.

_Enjolras directs the retreating insurgents to the wine-shop as the soldiers close in._

> I am taken prisoner. I shall be shot.

Marius, wounded and losing consciousness, believes he has been captured and will be executed.

_Marius's final thought before fainting, reflecting his despair and acceptance of death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/xxii-foot-to-foot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters