Les Misérables, Book 3: Mud, but the Soul, Chapter 8 summary
Book 3: Mud, but the Soul, Chapter 8 of 365 · 7 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 8, Jean Valjean meets Thénardier at the locked sewer gate, where Thénardier mistakes him for a murderer and offers escape for money. Thénardier takes all the money he finds, secretly tears cloth from Marius’s coat, and opens the gate so Jean Valjean can carry Marius into the open air.
What happens
- Thénardier approaches silently, and Jean Valjean recognizes him without being recognized himself.
- Believing Jean Valjean has murdered Marius, Thénardier offers to unlock the gate for half the stolen money.
- Thénardier supplies a rope and advises sinking the supposed corpse in the river.
- Jean Valjean produces his small change, and Thénardier searches both men and secretly tears a strip from Marius’s coat.
- Thénardier takes all the money, helps lift Marius, and quietly unlocks the gate.
- Jean Valjean reaches the open air while Thénardier locks the gate and disappears into darkness.
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In this chapter
What to notice
The misunderstanding explains Thénardier’s bargain and advice about hiding a body. Jean Valjean gains escape without revealing his identity.
Quick check
What does Thénardier secretly take from Marius?
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