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Les Misérables, Book 1: The War Between Four Walls, Chapter 10 summary

Book 1: The War Between Four Walls, Chapter 10 of 365 · 6 min to read the chapter

In Chapter 10, Cosette wakes convinced that Marius can find her, but her hope briefly collapses when her window offers no street view. Unaware of the fighting in Paris, she mistakes cannon shots for carriage gates and turns toward a nest whose family life stirs feelings connected with her love.

What happens

  1. Cosette wakes from happy dreams and trusts that Marius receives her letter and knows where to find her.
  2. Unable to remember his explanation for being absent, she blames herself, prays, and dresses.
  3. The narrator interrupts to argue that a young woman's bedroom and modesty deserve protection from intrusive looking.
  4. Cosette opens her window, finds no street view, and passes from expectation into tears before hope returns.
  5. She mistakes distant cannon shots for carriage gates while the household remains asleep.
  6. She watches martins caring for their young and thinks of Marius.

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In this chapter

CosetteMarius

What to notice

The narrator identifies the sounds Cosette misunderstands. Her peaceful surroundings and hopeful thoughts contrast with violence she cannot recognize.

Quick check

What does Cosette think the distant cannon shots are?

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