Les Misérables · Chapter
A Chapter in Which They Adore Each Other explained
The chapter depicts a lively dinner conversation among the young lovers, where Favorite professes adoration for Blachevelle while secretly confessing her disdain for him and her true affection for a poor actor.
What happens
The chapter depicts a lively dinner conversation among the young lovers, where Favorite professes adoration for Blachevelle while secretly confessing her disdain for him and her true affection for a poor actor. The scene is filled with playful banter, singing, and drinking, revealing the superficiality and discontent beneath the surface of their relationships.
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 Exposition.
- 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
- Love and Compassion
The chapter explores the superficiality and deceit in romantic relationships, as Favorite's professed love for Blachevelle is revealed to be a lie, contrasting with her genuine affection for the poor actor.
Characters to notice
- Favorite
Favorite declares her love for Blachevelle but later confides to Dahlia that she actually detests him and is infatuated with a poor actor neighbor.
- Dahlia
Dahlia quietly questions Favorite about her feelings for Blachevelle, prompting Favorite's candid confession.
- Blachevelle
Blachevelle is the object of Favorite's feigned adoration; he reacts with smug satisfaction to her declarations.
- Tholomyès
Tholomyès is present and drinking during the dinner conversation.
- Zéphine
Zéphine is laughing during the meal.
Key passages
“Blachevelle, I adore you.”
Favorite tells Blachevelle that she loves him deeply.
This declaration is later revealed to be insincere.
“I? I detest him. He is avaricious. I love the little fellow opposite me in my house.”
Favorite admits to Dahlia that she actually hates Blachevelle because he is stingy, and she is in love with a poor young man living across from her.
This confession exposes the theme of false love and hidden desires.
