Les Misérables, Book 14: The Grandeurs of Despair, Chapter 7 summary

What happens

1. Marius kisses Éponine’s forehead, leaves her body, and reads Cosette’s notice of her departure.
2. The narrator explains how Éponine warns Jean Valjean, withholds Cosette’s letter, and directs Marius toward the barricade.
3. Marius briefly questions dying, then decides that Cosette’s departure and his grandfather’s refusal leave their situation unchanged.
4. He writes Cosette a farewell and records instructions for returning his body to his grandfather.
5. Marius sends Gavroche away with the letter, but Gavroche plans immediate delivery so he can return before the fighting.

In this chapter

What to notice

Gavroche’s private plan defeats Marius’s purpose in sending him away. He accepts the errand without accepting escape from the fighting.

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