Les Misérables, Book 9: Supreme Shadow, Supreme Dawn, Chapter 4 summary
Book 9: Supreme Shadow, Supreme Dawn, Chapter 4 of 365 · 28 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 4, Thénardier tries to sell Marius evidence against Jean Valjean, but his newspapers and torn cloth instead prove Valjean’s innocence and identify him as Marius’s rescuer. Marius pays Thénardier because of his father’s debt, then takes Cosette in a carriage to seek Valjean and express his gratitude.
What happens
- Marius recognizes Thénardier’s letter, receives him in disguise, exposes his identity, and gives him five hundred francs.
- Thénardier produces newspapers proving that Jean Valjean is Madeleine and that Javert dies by suicide.
- Thénardier describes Valjean carrying an apparent corpse through the sewer and displays cloth torn from its coat.
- Marius matches the cloth to his own coat and recognizes Valjean as the man who saves him.
- Marius gives Thénardier money for departure; Thénardier leaves with Azelma for America and enters the slave trade.
- Overwhelmed by gratitude and shame, Marius takes Cosette toward Jean Valjean’s address in a hired carriage.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Marius identifies himself as the supposed murder victim. The matching cloth turns Thénardier’s accusation into evidence that Valjean saves Marius.
Quick check
What proves that Thénardier’s supposed corpse is Marius?
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