# An Anomaly in the Character of Lethierry explained — Toilers of the Sea

> Chapter companion for Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter explores Mess Lethierry's deep-seated antipathy toward the clergy, both Catholic and Protestant, which stems from their opposition to his steamboat invention and from his own instinctive dislike. Despite his generally good-natured character, he harbors a prejudice against priests, viewing them as catlike while he is doglike. He makes small concessions for social appearances but remains inwardly resistant, and his irreverent remarks and actions reveal a revolutionary, anti-theological streak influenced by his time in France.

## Themes in this chapter

### Superstition vs. Progress

Lethierry's conflict with the clergy is framed as a clash between his progressive steamboat invention and the traditional, religious opposition it faced.

### Social Class and Reputation

The chapter discusses the social pressure to be 'respectable' and the isolating malignancy of gossip in small towns, which Lethierry navigates with reluctant concessions.

### Deception and Moral Ambiguity

Lethierry's character is presented as having a failing—his prejudice—yet he is described as good-natured, illustrating moral complexity and the tension between his antipathy and his concessions.

## Character check-ins

### Mess Lethierry

Revealed to have a strong antipathy toward priests, both as an institution and instinctively; his dislike is rooted in their persecution of his steamboat and his own nature.

### Déruchette

Mentioned as accompanying Lethierry to church on rare occasions and as the recipient of his advice not to marry a clergyman.

### Reverend Jaquemin Hérode

Referenced as the preacher of a sermon on eternal punishment that Lethierry attended, prompting Lethierry's remark about God being merciful.

## Key lines

> Going to confession he called 'combing one's conscience.'

He referred to the act of confession as tidying up one's moral failings, implying a dismissive view of the practice.

_Illustrates Lethierry's irreverent and mocking attitude toward religious rituals._

> I imagine God as a merciful being.

After hearing a sermon on eternal punishment, Lethierry expressed his personal belief that God is compassionate rather than vengeful.

_Shows his anti-theological and liberal religious views, contrasting with orthodox teachings._

> Marry whom you please, provided you do not marry a parson.

Lethierry told Déruchette she could choose any husband as long as he was not a clergyman.

_Summarizes his deep aversion to the clergy extending to personal relationships._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se/chapters/xii-an-anomaly-in-the-character-of-lethierry
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se/chapters