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Les Miserables Study Guide

BOOK TWO: COSETTE

The Ship Orion

NUMBER 24601 BECOMES NUMBER 9430

1. What is the importance of the newspaper articles from the Drapeau Blanc and the Journal de
Paris, dated July 25, 1823?
The arrest of jean valjean.

SHOWING THAT THE CHAIN OF THE IRON RING MUST NEEDS HAVE UNDERGONE A
CERTAIN PREPARATION TO BE THUS BROKEN BY ONE BLOW OF THE HAMMER

2. How does Jean Valjean escape from the galleys?

he pretends to fall in the water and swims away.

Fulfillment of the Promise of the Departed

NUMBER 9430 COMES UP AGAIN, AND COSETTE DRAWS IT

3. For what reason does Jean Valjean escape from the galleys?
He fakes his death

4. Jean Valjean, alive and having concealed himself from the police, rescues Cosette. What does he
buy for her, and why does he make this purchase?
He buys her a mourning dress for fantine.

The Old Gorbeau House

MASTER GORBEAU

5. What is the Gorbeau House?

where vajean and cosette stay

TWO MISFORTUNES MINGLED MAKE HAPPINESS

6. Love is a strong, yet common emotion. Why is it peculiar to Jean Valjean and Cosette?
neither of them have felt this type of love.
7. Jean Valjean’s love for Cosette is so strong that it causes a “…second white vision.” What is the
significance of the white vision?
its another big change in his life.
 8. In what ways do Cosette and Jean Valjean provide support for each other?
Cosette gives him a purpose and valjean cares for her.

WHAT THE LANDLADY DISCOVERED

9. How does Victor Hugo continue the comparison between Jean Valjean and an owl?
Both of them only go out at night.

10. What name do the people in the quarter give to Jean Valjean?
Begger who gives alms

11. Describe the landlady, and explain how she poses a threat to Jean Valjean.
she is very nosey.

A FIVE-FRANC PIECE FALLING ON THE FLOOR MAKES A NOISE

12. Who is the beggar in the street, and why is he compared to a tiger?
Javert, he is on the prowl for valjean

13. Explain the figurative language in the following passage:

“This ray of light was an evil star in the black background of the door and the wall.”
He finds out javert is there from the light of the candle

A Dark Chase Needs a Silent Hound

GROPING FOR ESCAPE

14. Why does Jean Valjean leave the Gorbeau house?

Javert is closing in on him.

15. How does Victor Hugo create suspense when Jean Valjean reaches the secluded corner?
He has to figure out how to get cosette over the wall.

16. Who is the silent hound, and why is he called this?

Javert, because he can sniff out jean valjean

WHICH WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE WERE THE STREET LIGHTS LIGHTED WITH GAS

17. Why does Jean Valjean feel that the galleys would now be “…a life in death”?
He wouldn’t be able to take care of cosette.
18. How does Jean Valjean escape?
He ties cosette to the rope and pulls her over.

COMMENCEMENT OF AN ENIGMA
 19. Once hidden behind the wall, Cosette and Jean Valjean hear singing. What is the significance of
the singing?
they think they are hearing angels.

THE ENIGMA CONTINUED

20. What can be inferred about Jean Valjean’s character from this scene in which he gives Cosette
his coat?
he is selfless.

THE ENIGMA REDOUBLES

21. What does Jean Valjean realize is the basis of his life?
Cosette and her well being.
22. What conflict does Jean Valjean face when he hears the bell?
He wants to ask for help but doesn’t know how the people will react.

THE MAN WITH THE BELL

23. Who is the man with the bell?

Father fauchelevent
24. Explain why the man with the bell is surprised to see Jean Valjean.
He still thinks hes he mayor.

Cemetaries Take What Is Given Them

WHICH TREATS OF THE MANNER OF ENTERING THE CONVENT

25. Explain what Victor Hugo means by the following quote:

“To live in an impossible place, that would be safety.”
Living in a place where javert wouldn’t be out to get valjean.

SUCCESSFUL EXAMINATION

26. What story do Jean Valjean and Father Fauchelevent invent to procure Valjean’s and Cosette’s
places at the convent? ULTIMUS
valjean is F’s brother and cosette is valjeans granddaughter.

THE CLOSE

27. What does Jean Valjean keep in the small valise? Why does he always keep the key in his
pocket?
cosettes morning dress.
28. How does the Church save Jean Valjean a second time? Include in your answer the manner in
which the church initially saved him.
gives him and cosette a place to hide.