Les Misérables, Book 7: The Champmathieu Affair, Chapter 9: riassunto

Cosa succede

1. M. Madeleine enters the courtroom, receives greetings from court officials, and fixes his attention on the defendant.
2. The defendant’s appearance recalls Madeleine’s prison past and trial, leaving him horrified before he conceals his face behind boxes.
3. Champmathieu faces an apple-theft charge and identification as Jean Valjean, supported by four witnesses.
4. The defense disputes proof of theft but largely accepts the identification and asks for a lesser penalty.
5. The prosecutor treats those concessions as settled proof, calls the defendant’s denials cunning, and demands punishment carrying lifelong penal servitude.
6. The defense lawyer attempts a reply but loses confidence.

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Cosa notare

The question separates proof of identity from proof of theft. It exposes the gap the defense identifies but cannot successfully protect against the prosecutor’s argument.

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