Les Misérables, Book 8: A Counterblow, Chapter 3 summary
Book 8: A Counterblow, Chapter 3 of 365 · 6 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Champmathieu is cleared after Madeleine’s disclosures, but the district attorney secures a warrant against Madeleine and sends Javert to arrest him. Javert reaches Fantine’s room filled with triumph, while the narrator examines how sincere devotion to duty becomes terrible when joined to error.
What happens
- Madeleine leaves Arras after midnight, reaches M. sur M. before six, mails a letter, and visits Fantine.
- Despite the district attorney’s resistance, the defense and presiding judge support Champmathieu, and the jury clears him.
- The district attorney obtains an arrest warrant against Madeleine and sends a police messenger to Javert.
- Javert gathers soldiers, leaves them in the courtyard, and enters the doorway of Fantine’s room.
- Fantine notices Javert and makes Madeleine turn toward him, revealing the inspector’s fierce satisfaction.
- The narrator presents Javert’s triumph as sincere but misguided devotion to law and duty.
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In this chapter
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What small detail reveals Javert’s unusual agitation?
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