Les Misérables, Book 3: In 1817, Chapter 7 summary
Book 3: In 1817, Chapter 7 of 365 · 8 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 7, Félix Tholomyès interrupts the noisy feast with a speech urging moderation, then wanders through jokes, advice about love, and praise of the women. His companions answer with protests and a song, while he abandons restraint, celebrates pleasure, and embraces Favourite instead of Fantine.
What happens
- Tholomyès asks the noisy company to slow down and give the meal more dignity, prompting protests from his companions.
- He defends wordplay, urges limits on appetite and passion, and praises the ability to stop at the right moment.
- Favourite admires his name, while his speech turns toward suppressing desire and attacking women.
- After admitting drunkenness, he praises wine, addresses the women individually, rejects marriage, and urges men to compete for lovers.
- Blachevelle, Listolier, and Fameuil answer his speech with a nonsensical student song.
- Tholomyès drinks again, rejects his own advice, and embraces Favourite while calling for Fantine.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Tholomyès openly reverses his earlier calls for moderation. The reversal makes his drinking and final confused embrace part of the same rejection of restraint.
Quick check
Whom does Tholomyès embrace after calling for Fantine?
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