03/03 Les Miserables, Volume II (Part II, Books IV, V, VI), SPOILERS ARE ALLOWED FOR THIS SECTION ONLY

[Zulfiya]

We are slowly but gradually achieving our goal reading this massive, massive book.

This part is an eclectic combination of two different types of narratives. One is a faced-paced story of Jean Valjean again escaping vigilant Javert, and the other one is a historical digression about a small covenant.

1. Hugo moves us to a much bigger place. I think Hugo as a writer is much more comfortable with towns. His writing catches their vibes perfectly, and there is a sense of presence in his descriptions of towns and villages. Cities, especially as big as Paris, does not ring a familial bell. Hugo, in my mind, is not an author of urban life. What do you think about it? Do you think we do not get the true touch of Paris because he had no time to walk us along its streets and lanes?

2. The Valjean's narrative in this section was PACKED with dramatic actions. Up to this moment we were mostly reading about Valjean's emotional and spiritual struggles, his dilemmas, emotional sufferings, and his redemption. This time, Valjean acts, trying to save child, and he acts like a real superhero, and as a true superhero, the help comes from his forgotten past. Did you enjoy this fast-paced drama? Is it believable and realistic?

3. Valjean essentially arouses suspicion among the local people because of his kindness and willingness to give alms to the poor. Is kindness and charity of heart a blessing or a curse, especially when you are trying to raise an orphan?

4. Why does Javert still chase Valjean? Are his motives purely professional - a criminal should be arrested and incarcerated? Is he driven by personal revenge as well?

5. And the favorite digression ...:-) Why do you think Hugo put the narrative on hold and tells us about this little convent? By the way, in the novel, Hugo described the convent of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary of the Perpetual Adoration.

You can read about the monastery here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congrega...

What are your feelings about the life in this covenant?

[Linda]

I am just starting this section so I need to catch up this week. I am at the part where Jean Valjean and Cosette are now happily living in the rented room in the old Gorbeau house, and I found myself thinking that this would be a nice place to end the entire book - right here where Jean Valjean and Cosette are happy and can live together in the warmth of each other's company. But of course we have another 1000 pages to read so I am afraid of what will happen to disrupt the current harmony. :(

[Linda]

Finally finished this section last night. Yes, the two parts were total opposites! First the time spent with Jean Valjean and all the drama and his quick maneuvering to escape Javert. Then to a much different atmosphere of the convent - quiet, subdued, measured steps and responses.

Zulfiya, I guess I didn't know that Jean Valjean was actually in Paris at this point for sure until you mention it in question #1. I remember Paris being mentioned, but I think you are correct in that the descriptions did not paint the proper picture to confirm in my mind that we were actually walking the streets of Paris with Jean Valjean.

I was definitely wrapped up in the drama of the pursuit and escape, although I eventually lost track of the streets and their layout. I do think the escape was believable, when he was eyeing the wall again I was wondering why since he would not be able to lift Cosette up with him. But then the rope and tie were genius (and part luck that the light ropes were there to use in the first place).

I think Jean Valjean’s charity was suspicious because he appeared poor himself. Looking one way and acting another arouses suspicions.

I believe Javert’s pursuit has got to have some personal revenge involved. Especially when it was described that he enjoyed the pursuit, like a spider and fly, and that when he believed he had Jean Valjean trapped he took his time and enjoyed the power of knowing he had him trapped and he enjoyed watching him. Those sorts of feelings are not professional.

And yes, the dreaded digression! Well, at least I found this particular digression a bit more interesting, to see how these nuns lived in the convent. I think their lives are too harsh, though, and the descriptions of the happy young girls in the boarding school were a stark contrast to the women in the convent, which was interesting to note. While reading some of what the women volunteered to put themselves through, such as the 12 hours at “the post”, I couldn’t help but wonder what the point of all that was. It just seemed so excessive.

[Alana]

I haven't gotten to the convent digression yet, but the scenes with the escape with Cosette were very fast-paced and interesting. I'd forgotten the bit about the rope on the street lamp. I think the scene was well-done in the recent film, as well. I love that one of Valjean's acts of kindness from years ago is finally coming back to return to him.

It's amazing that Javert is so stuck on pursuing Valjean! I mean, he's not this hardened murderer, but a mere "thief" who's spent the majority of his life in prison! Leave him alone!

The busybodies who always want to talk about the man who looks poor but has tons of money hidden away just make me shake my head.... yet, this is reality. We always tend to talk and spread rumors about those who are "different" or don't fit the mold of society. And how sad that his kindness is what makes him stand out in a bad way!

[Alana]

O, and I love that Javert "plays" with catching Valjean.... it just makes me think of that moment in The Incredibles when the two superheroes are complaining about the supervillains monologuing when they capture the good guys. :)

[Lisa]

Definitely agree with you all who have said that there is a (large) element of revenge on Javert's part. It's gotten personal for him and for me, the tension of how or if Valjean was going to escape was very real.

[Zulfiya]

Linda wrote: "But of course we have another 1000 pages to read so I am afraid of what will happen to disrupt the current harmony. :( "

Reading has an amazing ability to be both the most serene activity and a perpetual challenge and race against time.

[Zulfiya]

Linda wrote: "I believe Javert’s pursuit has got to have some personal revenge involved. Especially when it was described that he enjoyed the pursuit, like a spider and fly, and that when he believed he had Jean Valjean trapped he took his time and enjoyed the power of knowing he had him trapped and he enjoyed watching him. Those sorts of feelings are not professional."

Javert is a unique character. On one hand, he is dispassionate, professional, meticulous, and obsessive.
On the other hand, he is also slightly vindictive, and he is trying to punish Valjean not for his crimes but for the fact that he managed to escape so many times his ferocious grip.

[Zulfiya]

Alana wrote: O, and I love that Javert "plays" with catching Valjean.... it just makes me think of that moment in The Incredibles when the two superheroes are complaining about the supervillains monologuing when they capture the good guys. :) "

That was a moment of revelation for both of them. A very-well written scene. The ghost from the past for Valjean and a charitable criminal for Javert. Masterful story-telling in this episode.

[Zulfiya]

Lisa wrote: " It's gotten personal for him and for me, "

It's got very personal for me, too. There have been many times for Valjean when his plans to escape from the prison were thwarted; he was also disgraced as a mayor, and he failed to honor his word to Cosette, so I really considered for a while that he would be arrested by policemen again, but this one was one of those 'Deux ex machina' moments where Valjean's noble and charitable past finally had the final say.
It took me a while to recall who and what was Fauchelevent and how their lives had intertwined in the past.

[Anne]

This section went very quickly, particularly the first 2 books. I had to force myself to slow down a bit because I was actually reading too quickly. Books 4 and 5 are some of my favorite sections of the book so far. Book 6 was much too slow, especially in comparison. Maybe some of it will be important since this is the property where Valjean is hiding, but I don't know how yet.

Regarding Javert's motivation, I think some of it is personal revenge and some of it is just part of the natural instinct of a police officer to never let a criminal go free. Valjean isn't really worthy of that judgement, but in the black and white world of Javert, he is.

[Zulfiya]

Anne wrote: "This section went very quickly, particularly the first 2 books. I had to force myself to slow down a bit because I was actually reading too quickly. Books 4 and 5 are some of my favorite sections of the book so far. "

It is amazing how Hugo combines pacy, thrilling parts with slow-moving historical digressions and lectures. It seems like the novel is like a human heart - it palpitates, comes alive, speeds up or slows down, and it is definitely cyclic as you have already seen.

[Linda]

Zulfiya wrote: "It seems like the novel is like a human heart - it palpitates, comes alive, speeds up or slows down"

What a perfect analogy!

[Deana]

The first part of this section was really good. Like Anne, I found myself reading this section very quickly! So many people in this book won't just mind their own business - nosy people account for most of Valjean's troubles!

I was afraid Javert was going to catch up with him, but glad Valjean has escaped with Cosette... for now. I fear that the ladies are going to catch this new man in their convent and more trouble will ensue... but then I also wonder if Cosette will end up staying with them and learning to become a novice... That doesn't sound like a great life for her -- the "diversion" made it sound like they lead very harsh lives there -- but perhaps it is still preferable to the Thenardiers.

[Zulfiya]

Deana wrote: "I fear that the ladies are going to catch this new man in their convent and more trouble will ensue... but then I also wonder if Cosette will end up staying with them and learning to become a novice."


I do not think it is an option for them as characters in the novel. They are too tragic. She might become one only to leave the covenant again with pain and tears or might choose a secular life with the heartache and sufferings. It is a thick book after all, and those pages are not about familial happiness and bliss.