Les Misérables · Chapter
One Should Always Begin by Arresting the Victims explained
Javert and his police squad raid the Gorbeau house den, arresting Thénardier, his wife, and their accomplices.
What happens
Javert and his police squad raid the Gorbeau house den, arresting Thénardier, his wife, and their accomplices. During the chaos, the mysterious prisoner (M. Leblanc) escapes through the window, leaving Javert frustrated.
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 Rising 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
- Justice vs. Law
Javert's rigid enforcement of the law contrasts with the moral ambiguity of the prisoner's escape.
- Revolution and Social Upheaval
The chaotic raid and the Thénardiers' desperate resistance hint at broader social tensions.
Characters to notice
- Javert
Leads the raid, arrests the Thénardiers and their gang, and is frustrated by the prisoner's escape.
- Thénardier
Armed with a knife, attempts to shoot Javert but the pistol misfires; he is handcuffed and arrested.
- Madame Thénardier
Throws a paving stone at Javert, misses, and is handcuffed; weeps for her daughters.
- Éponine
Mentioned as having disappeared before the raid; Javert only captured Azelma.
- Azelma
Captured by Javert before the raid.
- Marius Pontmercy
His passkey is used by Javert to enter the den.
Key passages
“Halt there. You shall not go out by the window, you shall go through the door. It's less unhealthy. There are seven of you, there are fifteen of us.”
Javert orders the criminals to surrender, pointing out that they are outnumbered.
Javert's authoritative command during the raid.
“The devil! he must have been the most valuable of the lot.”
Javert curses under his breath, realizing the escaped prisoner was the most important catch.
Javert's frustration at M. Leblanc's escape.
