July 16, 2009 10:38 PM
Les Miserables: 597-717
Though the third section of Les Miz is called Marius, it begins with a generic description of the Parisian gamin and focuses on one specific individual: Gavroche (pages575-596). Gavroche, we learn, is part of the family Jondrette, who live next door to " a very poor young man called M. Marius."
And so begins the story of Marius - a story characteristically drawn by Hugo reaching back to previous generations which have had to be discarded for the purposes of the musical production.
Marius is the grandson of M. Gillenormand, raised as an orphan - who as a young man renounces his grandfather's political prejudices to embrace his father's and to embark on a search for the man he sees as his father's savior: Thenardier - the very man Hugo has already let us know is truly a charlatan and a villain.
This is a truly exciting part of the narrative of Les Miz. don't you think? Perhaps because I have had sons grown to adulthood and seen their struggles to break free and assert their independence, I really appreciated the psychological drama drawn by Hugo in the tale of the Marius and his grandfather. But there is also the interplay between the individual emotional struggle and the larger political drama which resonated - very personally - with me.
In pages 647-675, Hugo offers generic descriptions of revolutionary types - each one with a hole in his soul - leading Enjolras to avow to Marius: "Citizen . . .my mother is the Republic."
In forswearing the privilege of his birth/grandfather, Marius endures years of hardship and poverty while pursuing his education in law. He lives to vindicate his father's legacy and to reward the man his father mistakenly credited with saving his life: the thief Thenardier.
He grows up, becomes a noble, handsome man (page 699) and falls in head over heels in love with a girl he had at first barely noticed as a young maiden - who six months later takes his breath away.
Did you love this part of the story - pages 699-717? Talking it over with my kids, I described how in a world where sex was not cheap, romance like this could flourish. I for one felt carried away. Did you?
In the effort to bring Hugo's massive tale to the stage, Marius's backstory was completely eliminated. As a writer, I understand the necessity of this editorial decision, but as a reader, I am grateful for the opportunity to find out all Hugo had to reveal about a character he considered central to his tale of Les Miserables.
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Remember: complete notes, resources, maps,. music available by clicking on Les Miz icon and scrolling to the bottom to read forward.
Next week. pages 718-858. And for those here with me, this part takes my breath away!
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Comments
I've fallen behind a bit as we have been gearing up for our first trip back home in almost 5 years! (I have two babies whom have never met their grandparents!) We will spend 3 weeks stateside before coming back. (So if I go MIA a bit, that is why) I have packed my book and hope to catch up, but not sure how much will happen while being with family again. :) I am SO enjoying your commentaries though! They keep me inspired to keep on!
Kristy in Germany
Posted by: Kristy in Germany | July 19, 2009 4:16 PM
I'm in the middle of this part of the book, I too have fallen behind in my reading. Still able to do about a small chapter a night though:).
I liked the way Hugo enlivens the Revolutionary group of friends- they remind me of some of my highschool friends actually! Just the zest for life and ideals seen in each character. It really was a beautiful characterization- I felt like I was right there in the cafe when Marius was challenged on his newly formed ideals!
I felt for Marius then... although I believe his friends criticized him on impersonal grounds though. In other words, they weren't trying to bring Marius down, just correct and bring him up to what they saw as a better light.
Haven't made it yet to where Marius falls in love though, but I like the man he's becoming in poverty and Hugo's analysis of impoverisment in critical formative years. It's easy for me to agree with his premise that the more worldly goods a person has at that state of life, the more bogged down by them he will become in a moral/spiritual sense. I can see it in some of the people I grew up with (and myself too, unfortunately).
Good book! It makes one think...
Posted by: Sarah | July 23, 2009 8:20 AM
I have enjoyed the backstory of Marius, and enjoyed your perspective as a mom with grown sons. My heart broke when Marius arrived to meet him moments too late and then pg. 628 describing how M. Pontmercy's memory and life is erased, "In two days the colonel had been buried, and in three days forgotten."
I saw some comparisons in the stories of Marius and the colonel, and Cosette and Fantine. First, both parents gave up their life with their child for what they thought was in the child's best interest. In Cosette's case it is hard for me to imagine how the story would have gone if Fantine had kept her, but I do think Marius would have been better off with his father. The colonel thought that a man with more money could better care for his child, when what would be best is the love and guidance from a father.
Second, despite sacrificing so much for others, both Fantine and the colonel are so quickly forgotten in death. Barely acknowledged and quickly erased.
Lastly, despite Marius's feelings at the time of his father's passing, he does learn of his father's love and honors him, whereas I don't think Cosette will ever get that privilege.
I have really enjoyed Hugo's small insights that have been scattered throughout the book. They are so brief, but give much to think about and I find many still ring true today. These are some of my favorites from this section:
pg. 634 On Marius's conversion to new political ideas..."There is a way of falling into error while on the road to truth." The first thing I think of is a new Christian, who in the midst of their new passion begins judging others of sins they have only just left behind.
pg. 636 "Not seeing people permits us to imagine them with every perfection."
pg. 662 On Marius quickly befriending Courfeyrac, "Youth is the season of prompt welding and rapid healing." Don't children and young people make friends so quickly and easily? I always wish it were so easy later in life.
Marius living in poverty didn't bother me too much, but I was originally a little irritated with his never-ending "reveries". It seemed to paint him as idle, lazy, and lacking motivation. Especially when you consider he had the capacity to work and do better, when so many around him were completely unable to escape their poverty, and would gladly have done so. But, on reading pg. 685 again, I see that perhaps more important character formation was taking place. So many good things said on this page.
Posted by: Crystal | July 29, 2009 3:23 AM
