Volume I: Fantine
The innkeeper's wife who mistreats Cosette and contributes to the exploitation of Fantine.
I: The Evening of a Day of Walking
The wife of the public house host; she hides her children in terror when her husband identifies the traveler as a dangerous man.
I: One Mother Meets Another Mother
The innkeeper's wife, a coarse and romanticizing woman, who agrees to take Cosette in.
I: One Mother Meets Another Mother
The innkeeper's wife, a coarse and romantic woman, who agrees to take in Cosette.
First Sketch of Two Unprepossessing Figures
Described as a coarse, vicious woman, twelve to fifteen years younger than her husband, who reads sentimental romances and has developed from a pensive attitude into a Megaera.
First Sketch of Two Unprepossessing Figures
Described as a coarse, vicious woman, younger than her husband, who read sentimental romances and developed a pensive attitude; later becomes a Megaera.
III: The Lark
Viciously mistreats Cosette; showers her own daughters with affection while beating Cosette.
III: The Lark
Viciously beats and mistreats Cosette while doting on her own daughters, Éponine and Azelma. She pawns Cosette's clothes and feeds her scraps.
Book V: The Descent
Madame Thénardier mistreats Cosette and demands more money from Fantine.
X: Result of the Success
Madame Thénardier is furious when Fantine sends a skirt instead of money, giving the skirt to Éponine.
Volume II: Cosette
Abuses and mistreats Cosette while favoring her own daughters.
Volume II: Cosette
Abuses Cosette and assists in her exploitation.
Book III: Accomplishment of the Promise Made to the Dead Woman
Reluctantly allows Cosette to leave with Valjean.
The Water Question at Montfermeil
Madame Thénardier is attending to the supper and shows indifference to her youngest child, saying 'he bothers me' when the child cries.
Two Complete Portraits
Described as a tall, blond, red, fat, angular, and agile giantess with a beard and a violent temper. She does all the housework and abuses Cosette, but fears and obeys her husband completely.
Men Must Have Wine, and Horses Must Have Water
Madame Thénardier is cruel and abusive, striking Cosette and forcing her to perform dangerous tasks. She shows no compassion and treats Cosette as a servant.
The Water Question at Montfermeil
Madame Thénardier is attending to the supper and shows neglect toward her own young son, dismissing his cries.
Entrance on the Scene of a Doll
Spies Cosette's distraction and yells at her to get back to work.
Two Complete Portraits
Described as a tall, red, fat, and brutal woman who does all the housework and physically abuses Cosette. She is jealous and fears only her husband, whom she adores despite his frail appearance.
The Little One All Alone
Implied as the one who would beat Cosette; her 'hideous, hyena mouth' is a specter in Cosette's mind.
Men Must Have Wine, and Horses Must Have Water
Madame Thénardier scolds and physically abuses Cosette, ordering her to water a horse and buy bread, showing her cruelty.
Entrance on the Scene of a Doll
Madame Thénardier spies Cosette lingering by the toyshop and yells at her, calling her a 'silly jade' and a 'little monster,' reinforcing her abusive treatment of the child.
Cosette Side by Side with the Stranger in the Dark
Referred to as 'Madame Thénardier' who sends Cosette for water and beats her; the inn's mistress.
The Little One All Alone
Cosette's fear of Madame Thénardier's wrath compels her to continue despite her terror.
VIII: The Unpleasantness of Receiving Into One’s House a Poor Man Who May Be a Rich Man
The abusive innkeeper's wife, who mistreats Cosette, overcharges the traveler, and threatens violence when Cosette loses a coin.
Cosette Side by Side with the Stranger in the Dark
Mentioned as Cosette's mistress and the innkeeper who beats her.
IX: Thénardier and His Manouvres
Eager to be rid of Cosette and initially hesitant to present the inflated bill, but ultimately complies.
X: He Who Seeks to Better Himself May Render His Situation Worse
Criticizes Thénardier for only getting fifteen hundred francs, prompting his pursuit.
VIII: The Unpleasantness of Receiving Into One’s House a Poor Man Who May Be a Rich Man
The cruel and greedy innkeeper's wife, who verbally and physically abuses Cosette, overcharges the traveler, and favors her own daughters.
IX: Thénardier and His Manouvres
Eager to be rid of Cosette, she agrees to let the traveller take her, but is hesitant about presenting the high bill.
Book IV: The Gorbeau Hovel
Madame Thénardier is also present as part of the Jondrette family, contributing to the squalid atmosphere.
X: He Who Seeks to Better Himself May Render His Situation Worse
Criticizes Thénardier for accepting only 1500 francs, prompting his pursuit; her reaction reveals her greed and influence over her husband.
Book IV: The Gorbeau Hovel
Also living in the hovel, contributing to the atmosphere of squalor and cruelty.
III: Two Misfortunes Make One Piece of Good Fortune
Referenced as one who repulsed Cosette along with her children.
IV: The Remarks of the Principal Tenant
Not directly present; the principal tenant is a cross, inquisitive old woman who spies on Jean Valjean, but she is not Madame Thénardier.
V: Which Would Be Impossible with Gas Lanterns
Mentioned by Valjean to frighten Cosette into silence.
VII: Continuation of the Enigma
Mentioned by Cosette as a source of fear, but Valjean says she is gone.
V: Which Would Be Impossible with Gas Lanterns
Mentioned by Valjean to frighten Cosette into silence.
Continuation of the Enigma
Mentioned by Cosette as a source of fear; Valjean says she is gone.
Little Gavroche
Gavroche's mother, who does not love him and shows affection only to his sisters.
Little Gavroche
Present as the mother in the Jondrette family, cold toward Gavroche but loving toward her daughters.
Poverty a Good Neighbor for Misery
Madame Thénardier is part of the Jondrette family evicted from the Gorbeau house.
Book VIII: The Wicked Poor Man
Madame Thénardier, as Jondrette's wife, participates in the family's deceptive and aggressive behavior toward their lodger and the benefactor.
The Wild Man in His Lair
A large, crouching woman in a chemise and patched petticoat, with hideous reddish-blond hair; she speaks to her husband with hollow endearments.
Strategy and Tactics
Obeys her husband's orders reluctantly, showing concern for her daughter's injury.
VIII: The Ray of Light in the Hovel
Comforts the younger daughter and tries to appease her husband.
Jondrette Comes Near Weeping
Lies in bed feigning illness; Thénardier instructs her to scrutinize M. Leblanc.
The Wild Man in His Lair
Crouches by the fireplace, speaks to her husband with hollow endearments, showing the ashes of former affection.
Strategy and Tactics
Obeys her husband's orders to get into bed, though she protests when their daughter is injured.
The Ray of Light in the Hovel
Attempts to comfort the crying younger daughter and murmurs a protest when the father mentions wounding the child.
XII: The Use Made of M. Leblanc’s Five-Franc Piece
Expresses shock and rage upon learning that the young lady is Cosette, and is instructed to prepare a brazier of charcoal for the plot.
Jondrette Comes Near Weeping
Lies in bed feigning illness, is urged by Thénardier to take a good look at M. Leblanc.
XIII: Solus Cum Solo, in Loco Remoto, Non Cogitabuntur Orare Pater Noster
The female Jondrette is seen rummaging among old iron as Marius prepares to leave.
The Use Made of M. Leblanc's Five-Franc Piece
She is shocked and enraged upon learning that the young lady with Leblanc is the former beggar child, and she agrees to assist in the plot.
In Which Will Be Found the Words to an English Air Which Was in Fashion in 1832
The mother confirms she has greased the door hinges and cooked potatoes; she is ready to go out as instructed.
Solus Cum Solo, in Loco Remoto, Non Cogitabuntur Orare Pater Noster
Madame Thénardier is seen rummaging among old iron as Marius prepares to leave, part of the conspiratorial household.
The Use Made of Marius’ Five-Franc Piece
Dresses up to inspire confidence, follows Jondrette's orders to light the way and pay the coachman.
Marius' Two Chairs Form a Vis-a-Vis
Opens the door with a grimace, dismisses the carriage, and whispers to her husband.
XIX: Occupying One’s Self with Obscure Depths
Stands guard near the door in a menacing stance, dressed eccentrically, as part of the ambush setup.
In Which Will Be Found the Words to an English Air Which Was in Fashion in 1832
Madame Jondrette responds to her husband's orders, confirms she has greased the door hinges, and reports that old Bougon has left.
The Use Made of Marius’ Five-Franc Piece
She follows Jondrette's orders, fetches chairs, and dresses up to inspire confidence.
The Trap
Returns with news of a false address, enraged, participates in overpowering Valjean.
One Should Always Begin by Arresting the Victims
Throws a paving stone at Javert, misses, and is handcuffed; weeps for her daughters.
Marius' Two Chairs Form a Vis-a-Vis
Mother Jondrette opens the door and dismisses the carriage as instructed.
XIX: Occupying One’s Self with Obscure Depths
Stands guard near the door in a menacing posture, supporting her husband's scheme.
The Trap
Returns with false address, furious, participates in recapturing Valjean.
One Should Always Begin by Arresting the Victims
Hurls a paving stone at Javert, misses, and is handcuffed; laments for her daughters.
Change of Gate
Also remembered by Cosette as a hideous figure from her past.
Change of Gate
Also part of Cosette's vague, nightmarish recollections of her early years.
The Malicious Playfulness of the Wind
Feels a brief scruple about abandoning her children but is easily persuaded by her husband.
I: The Malicious Playfulness of the Wind
Expresses scruples about abandoning her children but is persuaded by her husband; she detests her sons and is a mother only to her daughters.
In Which Little Gavroche Extracts Profit from Napoleon the Great
Referenced in Montparnasse's coded phrase 'my wife' as part of his warning to Gavroche.
Book III: Mud but the Soul
Madame Thénardier mistreats Cosette and colludes with her husband to extort money from Fantine.
Two Men Impossible to Find
Died in prison while awaiting trial, leaving Thénardier and Azelma as the sole survivors of the group.
