Podcast
Questions and Answers
How much does Jean Valjean pay for his room in advance?
How much does Jean Valjean pay for his room in advance?
40 sous
How much does the wagon driver say is the regular price for a room?
How much does the wagon driver say is the regular price for a room?
20 sous
How old is Cosette?
How old is Cosette?
8
What is the one idea expressed by Cosette's appearance?
What is the one idea expressed by Cosette's appearance?
What color is Jean Valjean's coat?
What color is Jean Valjean's coat?
What is Cosette's excuse for not buying the bread?
What is Cosette's excuse for not buying the bread?
With what does the Thénardieress threaten Cosette?
With what does the Thénardieress threaten Cosette?
What does Jean Valjean find on the floor that he gives to the Thénardieress?
What does Jean Valjean find on the floor that he gives to the Thénardieress?
Who is the speaker saying 'Aren't they a mess!' and to whom is he or she referring?
Who is the speaker saying 'Aren't they a mess!' and to whom is he or she referring?
What two sides of society do Cosette, Eponine, and Azelma represent?
What two sides of society do Cosette, Eponine, and Azelma represent?
How much does Jean Valjean pay for the stockings?
How much does Jean Valjean pay for the stockings?
What did Eponine and Azelma catch?
What did Eponine and Azelma catch?
What are the drinkers doing?
What are the drinkers doing?
What does Cosette use for a doll?
What does Cosette use for a doll?
Who does the Thénardieress think Jean Valjean might be?
Who does the Thénardieress think Jean Valjean might be?
What does Jean Valjean have for dinner?
What does Jean Valjean have for dinner?
What is the corpus delicti?
What is the corpus delicti?
What does the Thénardieress do to Cosette as soon as Jean Valjean leaves?
What does the Thénardieress do to Cosette as soon as Jean Valjean leaves?
Who is 'the lady'?
Who is 'the lady'?
What does Cosette do when she first receives her new doll?
What does Cosette do when she first receives her new doll?
What does Cosette name her doll?
What does Cosette name her doll?
At what time does the Thénardieress finally go to bed?
At what time does the Thénardieress finally go to bed?
What is M. Thénardier reading?
What is M. Thénardier reading?
What type of wood is the furniture in Jean Valjean's room made out of?
What type of wood is the furniture in Jean Valjean's room made out of?
What color are the curtains in Jean Valjean's room and what are they made out of?
What color are the curtains in Jean Valjean's room and what are they made out of?
What does M. Thénardier say that Jean Valjean's room used to be?
What does M. Thénardier say that Jean Valjean's room used to be?
What color are the flowers on the headdress in Jean Valjean's room?
What color are the flowers on the headdress in Jean Valjean's room?
What is M. Thénardier's response when his wife tells him that she is planning on kicking out Cosette?
What is M. Thénardier's response when his wife tells him that she is planning on kicking out Cosette?
Where does Cosette sleep?
Where does Cosette sleep?
What do the children do on Christmas Eve?
What do the children do on Christmas Eve?
How much money does the Thénardieress leave in her daughters' shoes?
How much money does the Thénardieress leave in her daughters' shoes?
What does Jean Valjean leave in Cosette's wooden clog?
What does Jean Valjean leave in Cosette's wooden clog?
How much does Jean Valjean owe according to M. Thénardier's bill?
How much does Jean Valjean owe according to M. Thénardier's bill?
How does M. Thénardier spell 'service'?
How does M. Thénardier spell 'service'?
Who would the Thénardieress marry rather than keep Cosette in the house for another day?
Who would the Thénardieress marry rather than keep Cosette in the house for another day?
What does the Thénardieress say that Cosette looks like instead of a lark?
What does the Thénardieress say that Cosette looks like instead of a lark?
What does M. Thénardier ask to see before handing over Cosette?
What does M. Thénardier ask to see before handing over Cosette?
What color are Cosette's new clothes?
What color are Cosette's new clothes?
What does M. Thénardier wish he had brought with him into the woods?
What does M. Thénardier wish he had brought with him into the woods?
What is the date on Fantine's letter?
What is the date on Fantine's letter?
What does the sign in the old Horse Market say?
What does the sign in the old Horse Market say?
What are the two striking features of the Gorbeau House?
What are the two striking features of the Gorbeau House?
What are the two numbers that appear inside the house?
What are the two numbers that appear inside the house?
What were the names of the two attorneys?
What were the names of the two attorneys?
To whom was the attorneys' petition presented?
To whom was the attorneys' petition presented?
What were the new names of the attorneys?
What were the new names of the attorneys?
What does 'Prenard' mean?
What does 'Prenard' mean?
What type of tree was directly across the street from the Gorbeau House?
What type of tree was directly across the street from the Gorbeau House?
What about the town is boring?
What about the town is boring?
Who did Cosette love before she met Jean Valjean?
Who did Cosette love before she met Jean Valjean?
What happened to the Thénardier's dog?
What happened to the Thénardier's dog?
How old was Jean Valjean?
How old was Jean Valjean?
Who else lived in the house with Cosette and Jean Valjean?
Who else lived in the house with Cosette and Jean Valjean?
What did Cosette call Jean Valjean?
What did Cosette call Jean Valjean?
What church did Jean Valjean like to go to?
What church did Jean Valjean like to go to?
What was Jean Valjean known as?
What was Jean Valjean known as?
What made the cleaning lady talkative?
What made the cleaning lady talkative?
How many teeth does the cleaning lady have?
How many teeth does the cleaning lady have?
What does Jean Valjean remove from his coattail?
What does Jean Valjean remove from his coattail?
What is Jean Valjean doing when the cleaning lady searches his room?
What is Jean Valjean doing when the cleaning lady searches his room?
What does the cleaning lady find in Jean Valjean's coat pockets?
What does the cleaning lady find in Jean Valjean's coat pockets?
What does Jean Valjean drop on the floor?
What does Jean Valjean drop on the floor?
Study Notes
Key Characters and Relationships
- Jean Valjean pays 40 sous in advance for his room, which contrasts with the usual price of 20 sous indicated by a wagon driver.
- Cosette is 8 years old and embodies an image of fear through her appearance.
- Madame Thénardier threatens Cosette with a cowhide strap and mistreats her, contrasting with Jean Valjean’s care.
- Eponine and Azelma, Thénardier's daughters, represent envy and scorn in society alongside Cosette.
Significant Events and Items
- Valjean finds a twenty sous silver piece on the floor and gives it to Madame Thénardier, highlighting his moral stance even in difficult circumstances.
- The Thénards' treatment of Cosette involves cruelty; as soon as Valjean leaves, Madame Thénardier kicks Cosette, indicating abuse.
- Cosette receives a new doll named Catherine, an event that brings her joy despite her difficult life.
Daily Life and Setting
- Jean Valjean’s evening meal consists of simple bread and cheese, indicating his modest lifestyle.
- Cosette sleeps in a cramped space under the stairs, showing her low status in the Thénardier household.
- The Thénardier household engages in a Christmas tradition where children leave shoes out for gifts, which reflects societal customs.
Economic Transactions and Value
- Jean Valjean's financial responsibility is showcased through his payment of 5 francs for stockings and a debt of 23 francs towards Madame Thénardier.
- Valjean’s generosity is further highlighted when he leaves a gold Louis worth 20 sous in Cosette's wooden clog.
Objects and Descriptions
- Valjean's room features mahogany furniture and red calico curtains, creating a stark contrast to the grim conditions he navigates.
- Significant items include the cleaning lady’s few teeth, which emphasizes her old age and perhaps neglect in her care.
Social Commentary
- The Thénardiess expresses a willingness to marry someone of high status, indicating her greed and disdain for Cosette.
- Jean Valjean is affectionately called "Father" by Cosette, representing their developing bond and his paternal instincts.
Symbolism and Themes
- The lead sword and rags serve as Cosette’s "doll," representing childhood innocence amidst hardship.
- The grim environment is underscored by references to the Gorbeau House, which features uninviting characteristics such as dull symmetry and the presence of an elm tree.
Important Names and Dates
- March 25, 1823, is noted as the date on Fantine's letter, marking a significant moment in the narrative.
- Characters like Corbeau and Renard become pivotal through their roles as attorneys who transform into Gorbeau and Prenard, symbolizing change in social standings.
Miscellaneous Details
- The old cleaning lady's deafness contributes to her talkativeness, underscoring her need for connection in isolation.
- Valjean’s financial struggles are depicted as he finds a bank bill for a thousand francs, which he manages discreetly while performing chores like sawing wood.
These notes encapsulate the complexity of characters, their relationships, the setting, and intertwining themes within Les Miserables, specifically in Chapters VIII-XI of Book 3 and Chapters I-V of Book 4.
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Test your knowledge of Chapters 8 to 11 of Book 3 and Chapters 1 to 5 of Book 4 from Les Miserables. These flashcards cover key details about characters, their circumstances, and significant events. Perfect for reviewing important concepts and details from the text.
