Les Misérables, Book 3: The Grandfather and the Grandson, Chapter 2 summary
Book 3: The Grandfather and the Grandson, Chapter 2 of 365 · 11 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 2, Georges Pontmercy appears as a gentle gardener whose distinguished military service contrasts with official hostility and his family’s contempt. To protect Marius’s inheritance, he accepts separation from his son, while the Gillenormands shape the boy’s shame toward his father and prevent the father’s loving replies from reaching him.
What happens
- A poor gardener in Vernon is identified as Georges Pontmercy, a decorated veteran of many battles.
- Napoleon grants Pontmercy military honors at Waterloo, but the restored monarchy refuses to recognize them.
- Pontmercy defies official warnings by wearing his decoration and rejecting letters that deny his rank.
- After his wife dies, Pontmercy surrenders Marius to his grandfather to protect the boy’s inheritance.
- Marius absorbs his family’s contempt, while Pontmercy secretly watches him at Mass and befriends a priest.
- Marius sends dictated letters twice yearly, but his grandfather pockets Pontmercy’s affectionate replies without reading them.
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Why does Pontmercy accept separation from Marius?
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