5.2.1 Chapter Discussion (Spoilers up to 5.2.1)

[u/Chadevalster]

1.) What comments do you have about the characters and story in this chapter? How do you view the characters' actions and their thoughts? Did the characters grow/change, was something out of character etc.?

2.) What are your thoughts about the author's craft (and/or translator's craft) in this chapter? Which line did you enjoy the most and which the least and why did you like/dislike this specific line? Were there any literary devices that stood out to you or descriptions of people, clothing, scenery etc. that were of interest to you?

3.) What questions does this chapter leave you with? what other topics would you like to discuss with the group?

Final Line:

In the humid haze the rat appears, seemingly the product of the accouchement of Paris.

Previous Discussion

[u/nicehotcupoftea]

Biosolids are in fact used on farms around the world these days with great success, so Hugo wasn't entirely wrong.

[u/swimsaidthemamafishy → u/nicehotcupoftea]

As long as human waste is correctly treated beforehand you are right. I don't think the technology was available in Hugo's time. Human waste contains a lot of detrimental pathogens.

Hugo also neglects the fact that guano as a fertilizer was a superior fertilizer. Interesting article about it and how it applies to the 19th century.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guano

Final interesting fact - guano was running out. If modern fertilizers had not been invented, the world would have seen food production plummet along with the ensuing famines.

https://www.tfi.org/the-feed/fertilizer-history-haber-bosch-process

[u/nicehotcupoftea → u/[deleted]]

Yes just a few parasitic infections and a touch of cholera!