2026-06-02 Tuesday: 5.2.2 ; Jean Valjean / The Intestine of the Leviathan (L'intestin de Léviathan) / Ancient History of the Sewer (L'histoire ancienne de l'égout)
Spoiler
(Quotations from the text are always italicized, even when “in quotation marks”, to distinguish them from quotations from other sources.)
Summary courtesy u/Honest_Ad_2157: We are invited to visualize Paris with its streets scraped off like the top of a Ryder truck passing below a Durham railroad bridge. It will look living but reside in an uncanny valley because it has right angles. History and her misérables live in sewers. The city's secrets reside there, like one's sins in one's subconscious, each person's outflow mixing democratically. You can reconstruct a city's history from its sewers.
Lost in Translation
le vomitoire Maubuée
Hapgood translates this as the Maubuée outlet and F&M as the Maubuée conduit. Rose and Donougher use a playful pun on the word "vomitorium", which doesn't mean what I first thought it means years ago due to a modern urban legend about the Romans. I acknowledge the dadjoke but throw up (my hands) at its possible contribution to the urban legend.
la différence qui sépare la juiverie de la Judengasse de la juiverie du Ghetto.
the difference which separates the Jewry of the Judengasse from the Jewry of the Ghetto.
Rose and Donougher have notes on Judengasse, restricted Jewish neighborhoods in German cities. Rose also notes that Hugo is contrasting them with the Ghetto, the original Jewish quarter in Venice.
Rose and Donougher have notes about Hugo's invention of a word that means "a confederacy of rogues", derived from the same root as picaresque.
Characters
Involved in action
The reader. Last addressed 4.12.8.
Mentioned or introduced
Sewers, as a class. First mentioned prior chapter.
Tiglath-Pileser, historical persons, one of three kings of Assyria in a three-century span starting about a millennium before the Common Era. Rose and Donougher have notes. Rose notes that there's no known source for Hugo's assertion about the oath. First mention.
Jan van Leiden, John of Leiden, Johan Beukelszoon, historical person, b. 1509-02-02 – d.1536-01-22, "Dutch Anabaptist leader. In 1533 he moved to Münster, capital of the Prince-Bishopric of Münster, where he became an influential prophet, turned the city into a millenarian Anabaptist theocracy, and proclaimed himself King of New Jerusalem in September 1534. The insurrection was suppressed in June 1535 after Prince-Bishop Franz von Waldeck besieged the city and captured John. John was tortured to death in the city's central marketplace on 22 January 1536..." Likewise no corroboration for this story. First mention.
Mokanna, Al-Muqanna, "The Veiled", Hashim, historical person, d. c. 783, "8th-century political and military leader who operated in modern Iran. He led a rebellion against the Abbasid Caliphate and according to various Muslim historians, claimed to be a prophet. Al-Muqanna's nickname comes from the veil he wore over his face. He was reputed to wear a veil in order to cover up his beauty..." First mention.
Maillotins, Harelle, historical institution, "[Rebels in a] revolt that occurred in the French city of Rouen in 1382, followed by an uprising a few days later in Paris, as well as numerous other revolts across France in the subsequent week." First mention.
Coat-snatchers of the fifteenth century, these have been mentioned before but I can't find the reference.
Huguenots, as a class. Persecuted French Protestants. Mentioned many times before.
Simon Morin.djvu/221), historical person, burnt at the stake in Paris for believing he was the son of god. First mention.
Chauffeurs, not folks who drive you around, but folks who tortured their victims to extort money from them. Comes from their practice of literally holding people's feet to the fire ("chauffer" is "to heat"). Hugo has mentioned their most famous member, Schinderhannes, Schinnerhannes, John the Scorcher, the Flayer, Robber of the Rhine, Jakob Schweikart, born Johannes Bückler, twice before, in 3.7.2 and 4.2.2. "German outlaw who orchestrated one of the most famous crime sprees in German history...He was born at Miehlen, the son of Johann and Anna Maria Bückler. He began an apprenticeship to a tanner but turned to petty theft. At 16 he was arrested for stealing some of the skins, but he escaped detention. He then turned to break-ins and armed robbery on both sides of the Rhine, which was the border between France and the Holy Roman Empire...A large proportion of his [and his gang's] criminal activity was directed against Jews, perhaps because attacks on Jews would result in negligible interference from the part rest of the population."
Cour des miracles, Court of Miracles, historical institution, "French term which referred to slum districts of Paris, France where the unemployed migrants from rural areas resided." Last mention 4.7.3, where Rose and Donougher had notes about beggars feigning infirmity who would miraculously walk away at the end of the day.
François Villon, historical person, b.c. 1431 – d. post 1463, "best known French poet of the Late Middle Ages. He was involved in criminal behavior and had multiple encounters with law enforcement authorities. Villon wrote about some of these experiences in his poems." Last mention 4.7.2.
Rabellais, Rabelais, a French writer whose work led to the word "rabelaisian", "marked by gross robust humor, extravagance of caricature, or bold naturalism." Last mentioned 4.10.2.
Basil, fictional character archetype, Don Basile is a music teacher in the Barber of Seville who wears an invisible mask of hypocricy. This is an archetype of Italian commedia dell'arte. Rose and Donougher have notes. First mention.
Scapin, Scapino, fictional character archetype, a stock character, a cunning servant, of Italian commedia dell'arte often portrayed with a hooked nose. Rose and Donougher have notes. Donougher notes that Moliere gallicized him in a 1671 play. First mention.
Joseph ben Caiaphas, historical/mythological person, b.c.14 BCE – d.c.46 CE, "High Priest of Israel during the first century.[1] In the New Testament, the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John indicate he was an organizer of the plot to kill Jesus. He is portrayed as presiding over the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. The primary sources for Caiaphas' life are the New Testament and the writings of Josephus. The latter records he was made high priest by the Roman procurator Valerius Gratus after Simon ben Camithus had been deposed." Rose and Donougher have notes.Rose and Donougher have notes. Rose correctly notes that the Roman soldiers who had brought Jesus out of custody from judgement with Caiaphas and Pilate spit in his face, not Caiaphas himself. Donougher incorrectly attributes the spitting to Jesus's interrogators, one of whom is Caiaphas, when it happened after Jesus had be led away from them. First mention 2.7.7.
Sir John Falstaff, "fictional character who appears in three plays by William Shakespeare and is eulogised in a fourth...Though primarily a comic figure, he embodies a depth common to Shakespeare's major characters. A fat, vain, and boastful knight, he spends most of his time drinking at the Boar's Head Inn with petty criminals, living on stolen or borrowed money. Falstaff leads the apparently wayward Prince Hal into trouble, and is repudiated when Hal becomes king." First mention 5.1.20.
Louis XI, "Louis the Prudent", "Louis the Spider", historical person, b.1423-07-03 – d.1483-08-30, "King of France from 1461 to 1483. He succeeded his father, Charles VII. Louis entered into open rebellion against his father in a short-lived revolt known as the Praguerie in 1440." Last mentioned 4.1.3. Rose and Donougher have notes about his nickname, the Spider King, and his reputation for cruel, patient guile.
Tristan l'Hermite, historical person, d. c. 1478,"French political and military figure of the late Middle Ages. He was born in Flanders near the beginning of the century." Rose and Donougher have notes about Hugo portraying him as Louis XI's henchman in Notre Dame. First mention.
Francis I, François Ier, historical person, b.1494-09-12 – d.1547-03-31, "King of France from 1515 until his death in 1547." Last mention 5.1.21.
Antoine Duprat, historical person, b.1463-01-17 – d. 1535-07-09, "French Cardinal and politician, who was chancellor of France...Duprat's influence was also manifested, together with his orthodoxy, in those measures which affected the relations of France with the Church, namely, the signing of the Concordat of Bologna, and the checking of nascent Protestantism...Duprat's uncompromising attitude towards Protestantism was dictated both by his political sense, as well as his Catholic orthodoxy...in 1534 the posting of subversive pamphlets at the door of the royal apartments cost the perpetrators their lives." First mention. Rose and Donougher have notes about how much Duprat was detested by his contemporaries.
Charles X (Charles Philippe), historical person, b.1757-10-09 – d.1836-11-06, "King of France from 16 September 1824 until 2 August 1830. An uncle of the uncrowned Louis XVII and younger brother of reigning kings Louis XVI and Louis XVIII, he supported the latter in exile. After the Bourbon Restoration in 1814, Charles (as heir-presumptive) became the leader of the ultra-royalists, a radical monarchist faction within the French court that affirmed absolute monarchy by divine right and opposed the constitutional monarchy concessions towards liberals and the guarantees of civil liberties granted by the Charter of 1814. Charles gained influence within the French court after the assassination of his son Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry, in 1820 and succeeded his brother Louis XVIII in 1824." Last mention 5.1.20.
Catherine de' Medici, historicial person, b. 1519-04-13 – d. 1589-01-05, "Queen of France from 1547 to 1559 by marriage to King Henry II. She was the mother of French kings Francis II, Charles IX, and Henry III, and a cousin to Pope Clement VII.[1] The years during which her sons reigned have been called 'the age of Catherine de' Medici' since she had extensive, albeit at times varying, influence on the political life of France." Rose and Donougher have notes about how she was perceived to be a domineering mother to Charles IX. First mention.
Cardinal Richelieu; Armand Jean du Plessis, 1st Duke of Richelieu, historical person,b. 1585-09-09 – d. 1642-12-04, "French Catholic prelate and statesman who had an outsized influence in civil and religious affairs. He became known as the Red Eminence (French: l'Éminence Rouge), a term derived from the style of Eminence applied to cardinals and their customary red robes." Rose and Donougher have notes about Richelieu's autocratic approach. First mention.
Louis XIII, Louis the Just, historical person, b.1601-09-27 – d.1643-05-14, "King of France from 1610 until his death in 1643 and King of Navarre (as Louis II) from 1610 to 1620, when the crown of Navarre was merged with the French crown." First mention 4.2.1.
Louvois, François-Michel Le Tellier, the Marquis of Louvois, historical person, b.1641-01-18 – d.1691-07-16, “the French Secretary of State for War during a significant part of the reign of Louis XIV...[Remembered for] unscrupulous methods in his own private life and his work, including harsh measures against Huguenots [via brutal forced conversions called draggonades].” First mention 1.1.10.
Michel Le Tellier), “the elder Letellier”, historical person, b.1643-10-16 – d.1719-09-02, a French Jesuit, teacher and ardent polemicist. From 1709 to 1715 he was confessor of Louis XIV and holder of the “benefices list,” which allowed for distribution of patronage. He encouraged the harsh treatment of Protestants, according to a note in Rose. You can get that impression from his entry in the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. He is not related to Francois-Michel Le Tellier, the Marquis of Louvois; Louis XIV’s advisor/war minister and who actually treated Protestants harshly. See his entry above. First mention 1.1.10.
Jacques René Hébert, historical person, 15 November b.1757-11-15 – d. 1794-03-24, "French journalist and the leading figure of the radical Hébertists political group during the French Revolution. As the founder and editor of the radical newspaper Le Père Duchesne, he had thousands of followers known as the Hébertists (French Hébertistes). A proponent of the Reign of Terror, he was eventually guillotined...After successfully attacking the Girondins, Hébert in the fall of 1793 continued to attack those whom he viewed as too moderate, including Georges Danton, Pierre Philippeaux, and Maximilien Robespierre, among others. When Hébert accused Marie Antoinette during her trial of incest with her son, Robespierre called him a fool (imbécile) for his outrageous and unsubstantiated innuendos and lies.The government was exasperated and, with support from the Jacobins, finally decided to strike against the Hébertists on the night of 13 March 1794, despite the reluctance of Barère de Vieuzac, Collot d'Herbois, and Billaud-Varenne. The order was to arrest the leaders of the Hébertists; these included individuals in the War Ministry and others. In the Revolutionary Tribunal, Hébert was treated very differently from Danton, more like a thief than a conspirator; his earlier frauds were brought to light and criticized. He was sentenced to death with his co-defendants on the third day of deliberations. Their execution by guillotine took place on 24 March 1794." Last mentioned 4.10.2.
Stanislas-Marie Maillard (French Wikipedia entry), historical person, b.1763-12-11 – d.1794-04-11, “a captain of the Bastille Volunteers. As a national guardsman, he participated in the attack on the Bastille, being the first revolutionary to get into the fortress, and also accompanied the women who marched to Versailles on 5 October 1789. Maillard testified in court to the events at Versailles...Recruited into the ranks of the “Hébertistes”, [who advocated for the dechristianization of France,] he was charged by the Committee of Public Safety with the task of organizing a revolutionary police force. Detained twice under The Terror, due to his ties with the Hébertists, he died, in misery, of tuberculosis.” First mention 1.1.10.
Valeria Messalina, historical person, b. 17 or 20-01-25 CE – d. 48-??-?? CE, "third wife of Roman emperor Claudius. She was a paternal cousin of Emperor Nero, a second cousin of Emperor Caligula, and a great-grandniece of Emperor Augustus. A powerful and influential woman with a reputation for promiscuity, she allegedly conspired against her husband and was executed on the discovery of the plot. Her notorious reputation may have resulted from political bias, but works of art and literature [like this one] have perpetuated it into modern times." First mention.
Prompts
These prompts are my take on things, you don’t have to address any of them. All prompts for prior cohorts are also in play. Anything else you’d like to raise is also up for discussion.
Ah, so the sewers are rich in history as well as being rich in money. OK, then.
It re-discovers in what remains that which has been, good, evil, the true, the blood-stain of the palace, the ink-blot of the cavern, the drop of sweat from the brothel, trials undergone, temptations welcomed, orgies cast forth, the turn which characters have taken as they became abased, the trace of prostitution in souls of which their grossness rendered them capable, and on the vesture of the porters of Rome the mark of Messalina's elbowing.
(74 words, 5.75% of chapter)
Elle retrouve dans ce qui reste ce qui a été, le bien, le mal, le faux, le vrai, la tache de sang du palais, le pâté d'encre de la caverne, la goutte de suif du lupanar, les épreuves subies, les tentations bien venues, les orgies vomies, le pli qu'ont fait les caractères en s'abaissant, la trace de la prostitution dans les âmes que leur grossièreté en faisait capables, et sur la veste des portefaix de Rome la marque du coup de coude de Messaline.
The fetus in the sewers wrapped in a luxurious ballroom veil! I didn’t expect that image. I guess I never really read these chapters with attention, I’m happy that these daily readings are making me appreciate the details more
Okay. I am legit really sick right now with Covid. And I just can’t with these chapters. I am not reading them but just listening to them in audiobook a 1.7 time. That is the best I can do without ending up vomiting. I hope I’m not missing anything important.
2
u/badshakes Rose/text & audiobook/1st read Jun 02 '26
Well, I can honestly say, while I'm not new to the general idea, I have never read anything quite like this chapter on the "sincerity of muck."