Les Misérables, Book 3: The Grandfather and the Grandson, Chapter 5 summary
Book 3: The Grandfather and the Grandson, Chapter 5 of 365 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 5, Marius meets Monsieur Mabeuf at Mass and learns that his father secretly watches him there during childhood, accepting separation to protect his inheritance. This account reveals a love Marius does not recognize before, and the next day he asks his grandfather for leave, describing his planned absence as a hunting trip.
What happens
- At Saint-Sulpice, Marius yields a chair to Monsieur Mabeuf, who explains why he values that particular place.
- Mabeuf describes a father who secretly visits Mass to see his son, separated from him by relatives over political opinions.
- Marius recognizes Pontmercy in the account and tells Mabeuf that the man is his father.
- Mabeuf affirms the father’s love, and Marius escorts him home.
- The next day, Marius requests three days away for hunting; his grandfather grants four and privately suspects a romance.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Mabeuf makes the meaning of the secret visits explicit. His testimony gives Marius direct evidence of his father’s affection.
Quick check
Why does Pontmercy avoid openly seeing his son?
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