Les Misérables · Chapter

V: A Night Behind Which There Is Day explained

Cosette and Marius visit Jean Valjean, who is dying.

What happens

Cosette and Marius visit Jean Valjean, who is dying. They express their love and gratitude, and Jean Valjean dies peacefully, blessing them.

Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.

Marius’s psychological peak occurs as he is overwhelmed by a “whirlwind” of confusion, realizing that his pers…

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Redemption and Transformation
Jean Valjean's final moments are marked by forgiveness and acceptance, completing his transformation from convict to saintly figure.
Love and Compassion
The chapter is filled with expressions of love and compassion between Jean Valjean, Cosette, and Marius.
Suffering and Sacrifice
Jean Valjean's life of sacrifice is acknowledged by Marius, and his peaceful death reflects the end of his suffering.

Jean Valjean
Dying, he is visited by Cosette and Marius, expresses his love, and dies blessing them.
Cosette
Rushes to Jean Valjean, embraces him, and expresses her love and desire for him to live with them.
Marius Pontmercy
Expresses deep gratitude and veneration for Jean Valjean, acknowledging his sacrifices.

“Cosette, that man is an angel!”
Cosette, that man is a saint.
Marius expresses his veneration for Jean Valjean.
“I die happy. Give me your dear and well-beloved heads, so that I may lay my hands upon them.”
I am content to die. Let me place my hands on your beloved heads.
Jean Valjean's final blessing to Cosette and Marius.