Volume 5/ Book One: Summary

The Friends of the ABC are the only insurgents left. With the army preparing another attack, Enjolras urges the five men in the group with families to leave at once. Though the men insist on staying at the barricade, Enjolras orders them to wear military uniforms and escape to safety. The men, however, are only able to find four uniforms. Valjean arrives at the barricade just then and offers his National Guard uniform to the fifth man. Valjean then helps wounded people into the wine shop in order to protect them. Meanwhile, Gavroche is shot and killed when he leaves the barricade to gather ammunition from the dead soldiers.

As Javert is prepared to be executed, Valjean asks Enjolras if he (Valjean) can be the executioner. As Valjean escorts Javert outdoors, Javert recognizes him at once and believes that his execution is inevitable. Once outside, however, Valjean unties Javet and urges him to flee to safety. He even shares his address with Javert and asks him to visit if he is not killed in the insurgency. As Javert escapes, Valjean fires a shot to convince the radicals that Javert has been dealt with. Meanwhile, Marius recognizes Javert as the inspector who’d dealt with the Thenardiers at Gorbeau House. He is shocked to learn that Valjean has killed the inspector.

The army closes in on the insurgents and forces them to retreat into the wine shop. Enjolras is killed. Marius is shot and rendered unconscious, but Valjean carries him away as he escapes into the sewers.

Analysis: Volume 5/ Book One

Like Eponine, Gavroche is also tragically killed in the insurrection. Their deaths represent the disintegration of the Thenardier family. Gavroche’s involvement in the revolution shows that it was inclusive of the disenfranchised; however, Hugo’s treatment of the revolution is highly nuanced: he doesn’t glorify it. The revolution saw many avoidable deaths and many instances of unnecessary violence. The section depicts the merits as well as the flaws of the rebellion. Valjean’s decision to not kill Javert reinforces the theme of compassion.