Les Miserables - Week 12

[Gem , Moderator]

I read a commentary about part of this week's reading that stated, in part:

Hugo's long discussion of the political evolution of France from 1815 to 1832 is primarily a republican political document. It is intended to hearten French republicans by reminding them that, despite many checks, republicanism has steadily gained ground in the nineteenth century and to encourage his readers to oppose the Empire, which subverted the Republic of 1848. And as usual, Hugo, the political exile, is a very effective propagandist.

This helped me to understand the history lessons and political commentary that Hugo has interjected into the story. Any thoughts on this statement about Hugo?

Marius makes the discovery that "a form of social ugliness that was perhaps even more repulsive than the evil rich: namely, the evil poor." Do you think in the long run, that this will change his political perspective?

Marius is loyal to his father's wishes about helping Thenardier, by sending him money in prison, even after he was exposed to a great evil that the man perpetrated. Do you think this blind loyalty is going to become problematic for Marius? Will there come a time when he steps back and realized what kind of person Thenardier is? Do you think his father intended to be loyal or for his son to be loyal to such a man?

We have been seeing Marius' life get more and more out of control because he has fallen in love with Cosette, even though he still doesn't know her name. He doesn't see that Eponine adores him. Is any love worth this total collapse? And what of Eponine, she knows he loves the girl and yet she's fallen for him?

[Rafael]

This section was intense.

I cannot understand Marius' loyalty towards Thenardier. He tried to hurt Cosette, that he (seems to) love. At the same time I don't understand Eponine. Why she want to help him? I am worried that she will hurt both of them. Maybe she is involved with the Patron-Minette.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I am behind on the reading but will catch up this weekend while I am traveling. I didn't find the political section very compelling!

[Piyangie]

I was a little behind this week but finally managed to finish the segment.

Hugo works on again on the historic and political commentaries in book 1 of this part. While they were informative and interesting in one sense, they made the reading progress very slow.

Marius's decision to provide for Thenardier was very surprising. He saw the man for who he really is. The only explanation was is that Marius was honour bound by his pledge to his dead father. Having not known his father during his lifetime, Marius feels it his sacred duty by his father to assist the man who saved his father's life at the battle of Waterloo. But this kind of blind worshiping can lead to no good. I really fear for Marius.

It looks that Eponine has feelings for Marius. They are seem genuine at present, but I trust none of the Thenadiers. I hope Marius will be cautious and prudent and not act recklessly in his haste to learn Cosette's whereabouts.

[Gem , Moderator]

Piyangie wrote: "Hugo works on again on the historic and political commentaries in book 1 of this part. While they were informative and interesting in one sense, they made the reading progress very slow."

I couldn't agree more. Especially when he says, "a few pages about..." when it's more like 30 pages, lol.

[Linda]

I actually liked Hugo’s explanation of the politics in this section. Although it was sometimes slow to read in order to grasp it all, and I know as a 21st century reader there are still things I missed, I thought it was a clear explanation (propaganda?) of the events. What I especially found important and universal was Hugo’s discussion of the people becoming tired of the constant turmoil brought on by the Revolution, the Terror, the Napoleonic wars. They just wanted a sense of peace and stability for a time. That is a feeling that can be true for other times and other countries as well.

[Robin P, Moderator]

I am finally catching up. This section, after the historical part, had a lot of sadness. Marius lost all focus, Pere Mabeuf declined in health and spirits, and Eponine suffered from unrequited love.

[JJ]

I don't think that Marius's father would have wanted him to help Thenardier out. I think he would have felt bad to put his son in such a position. It's more of an enslavement than repaying of a great and heroic deed by a nobleman. Marius seems to think that he has no choice in the matter. Perhaps if he had a relation with his father, he would think differently about the matter.

I'm not sure what "promise" Eponine was referring to. I think Marius promised to give her whatever she wanted for finding "the Lark's" address. Eponine does not want money. I can definitely see how things could go horribly wrong with this love circle here.

[Robin P, Moderator]

Yes, Marius did promise he would give Eponine whatever she wanted, but of course he can't give her what she really wants.

[Gem , Moderator]

JJ wrote: "I don't think that Marius's father would have wanted him to help Thenardier out. I think he would have felt bad to put his son in such a position."

I agree. I think Marius is (was) blindly following his father's noble intention as opposed to absorbing the information at hand about the person. Thenardier is not the person Marius' father though he was.