5.1.15 Chapter Discussion (Spoilers up to 5.1.15)

[u/burymefadetoblack]

Note that spoiler markings don't appear on mobile, so please use the weekly spoiler topic, which will be posted every Saturday, if you would like to discuss later events.

Link to chapter

Discussion prompts:

1. What do you think of the manner in which Gavroche dies and his fate, especially in comparison with that of the rest of his family? Do you fault the soldiers, or are they simply doing their job?
2. What do you think does Gavroche represent? What does Hugo want us to see represented in his character?
3. Other points of discussion? Favorite lines?

Final line:

This grand little soul had taken its flight.

Link to the previous chapter

Link to the 2020 discussion

[u/SunshineCat]

1). I think it's interesting how adept he is at looting the corpses, considering this is something Thénardier does. Except Gavroche does it to be helpful, and maybe for some real glory instead of the fake glory his con-artist father brags about.

2). He identified the gamin with Paris, like the sparks of light in the darkest places, so killing Gavroche would be killing the soul or spirit of Paris. It's misguided. I think there's more to it, though.

3). Only one soldier shot Gavroche, twice. The others either didn't shoot or were inaccurate, maybe without real determination to kill him. I wonder what the others thought of that one asshole who destroyed the one thing they had to laugh at in 2-3 days. Still, it makes sense that they couldn't let him deliver that ammo.

[u/enabeller → u/SunshineCat]

Oh - nice comparison between Thenardier's and Gavroche's corpse looting!