Les Misérables · Character

Basque

The Gillenormand family's loyal valet.

minor

Also known as V Basque, honest Basque

First appearance: book iii in the year 1817

See Basque in book iii in the year 1817 Book page

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In Basque and Nicolette: M. Gillenormand's last valet, a big, foundered, short-winded fellow of fifty-five born at Bayonne, renamed Basque. Later, in Basque and Nicolette: M. Gillenormand's last valet, born in Bayonne,…

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See Basque in book iii in the year 1817

Character Web

19 connections

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Other

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Main characters and revolutionaries
Minor characters and supporting figures
Patron-Minette criminal gang

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

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

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Basque appears across 16 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Basque and Nicolette
M. Gillenormand's last valet, a big, foundered, short-winded fellow of fifty-five born at Bayonne, renamed Basque.
Basque and Nicolette
M. Gillenormand's last valet, born in Bayonne, renamed Basque by his master.
VII: The Old Heart and the Young Heart in the Presence of Each Other
The servant who opens the door and is called by Gillenormand during the confrontation.
The Grandfather
Helps carry Marius and tears up linen for bandages.
The Grandfather
Assists in carrying Marius and preparing bandages.
II: Marius, Emerging from Civil War, Makes Ready for Domestic War
Observes M. Gillenormand praying after the doctor announces Marius is out of danger.
Marius Attacked
The servant who is blacking boots in the anteroom when Gillenormand confronts him about André Chénier.
II: Marius, Emerging from Civil War, Makes Ready for Domestic War
Watches M. Gillenormand through a half-open door and sees him praying.
Marius Attacked
The servant who is blacking boots in the anteroom when M. Gillenormand bursts out and shouts about André Chénier.
The Inseparable
Seen arranging roses and dressed in formal attire at the wedding.
The Inseparable
Dressed in black, arranging roses around the dishes; Valjean charges him to explain his absence.
I: The Lower Chamber
The servant who receives Valjean at the gate and escorts him to the waiting-room.
II: Another Step Backwards
Helps tidy the lower room by removing bottles.
III: They Recall the Garden of the Rue Plumet
Servant who announces dinner and reports to Valjean about Cosette's absence.
I: The Lower Chamber
The servant who receives Valjean at the gate and shows him to the lower chamber.
III: They Recall the Garden of the Rue Plumet
Announces dinner and informs Valjean that Cosette and Marius are out.

Chapter companion notes

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See Basque in book iii in the year 1817