Les Misérables, Book 12: Corinthe, Chapter 3 summary
Book 12: Corinthe, Chapter 3 of 365 · 5 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, the crowd turns the street outside Corinthe into a barricaded position, using paving stones, barrels, beams, and an overturned omnibus while frightened residents shut themselves indoors. Grantaire’s drunken speech draws a sharp rebuke from Enjolras, but he asks to remain nearby and falls asleep at a table.
What happens
- The street offers a defensible position, and frightened residents close their doors and shutters as the crowd arrives.
- Workers pile stones, barrels, a dray, and beams into a barricade taller than a person.
- Bossuet empties an omnibus of its passengers and brings it back to complete the barrier.
- Grantaire embraces Matelote and delivers a drunken speech about beauty, charity, love, and liberty.
- Enjolras orders Grantaire away, but Grantaire looks at him tenderly and asks to sleep there.
- After Enjolras denies his capacity for belief or action, Grantaire challenges that judgment and falls asleep.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Enjolras separates the barricade’s purpose from Grantaire’s behavior. His rebuke stops the drunken performance and prompts Grantaire’s tender appeal.
Quick check
What completes the barricade across the street?
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