Les Misérables, Book 4: The Friends of the a B C, Chapter 3 summary
Book 4: The Friends of the a B C, Chapter 3 of 365 · 3 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 3, Marius becomes Courfeyrac’s friend and enters the circle of the Friends of the A B C, where unfamiliar arguments unsettle his political and intellectual confidence. Their discussions of tragedy, Rousseau, and Napoleon make him suspect that the beliefs he adopts from his father are not as settled as he thinks.
What happens
- Marius quickly becomes comfortable with Courfeyrac and identifies himself as a democratic Bonapartist when asked about politics.
- Courfeyrac introduces Marius to the Friends of the A B C at the Café Musain.
- The group’s lively discussions overwhelm Marius and make his supposedly settled opinions feel uncertain.
- Bahorel attacks tragedy, while Combeferre argues that its classical form deserves to exist.
- Courfeyrac criticizes Jean-Jacques for abandoning his children, but Enjolras defends his commitment to the people.
- Marius notices that the young men avoid calling Napoleon the Emperor, adding to his surprise.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The closing observation presents uncertainty as an opening toward understanding. Marius’s surprise replaces his earlier confidence that his opinions are settled.
Quick check
How does Marius describe his political position to Courfeyrac?
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