Les Misérables · Chapter
Gavroche's Excess of Zeal explained
Gavroche, while wandering the streets at night, sings revolutionary songs and steals a handcart from a sleeping Auvergnat to bring to his barricade.
What happens
Gavroche, while wandering the streets at night, sings revolutionary songs and steals a handcart from a sleeping Auvergnat to bring to his barricade. He writes a receipt for the cart, but is confronted by a National Guard sergeant. Using the cart as a projectile, he knocks the sergeant down and escapes a fusillade, then resumes his journey and song.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
Marius’s psychological peak occurs as he is overwhelmed by a “whirlwind” of confusion, realizing that his pers…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Revolution and Social Upheaval
Gavroche's theft of the cart and his revolutionary song embody the spirit of insurrection and defiance against the established order.
Characters to notice
- Gavroche
Steals a handcart for the barricade, confronts a National Guard sergeant, and escapes a fusillade.
Key passages
“How bully that cart would look on our barricade!”
Gavroche decides to steal the cart for use in building a barricade.
Shows Gavroche's dedication to the revolutionary cause.
“French Republic. Received thy cart Gavroche.”
Gavroche writes a receipt for the cart, claiming it in the name of the Republic.
Highlights Gavroche's playful yet serious commitment to the Republic.
