Brick Club 5.5.3, 5.5.4
Nothing like a near death experience to get you to cave to every one of your grandson’s demands. Nothing about Gillenormand feels sincere because this was all just bullshit to him from the beginning! He never really had any issue with Marius marrying Cosette but he just couldn’t resist talking out of his ass when Marius came calling. It’s the very same thing Gillenormand has always done, threatened Marius with his cane and expected blind affection in response. He has so little genuine stake in any of the conflict happening around him that everyone else’s stakes barely register as anything more than a curiosity, like a billionaire watching the poor scrap over twenty dollars. He hasn’t changed a bit, he’s just guilty now.
And I’m salty because he calls Valjean “that mummy of the Regency and of the Directory” as if he isn’t still dressing like an incroyable dandy! He’s so insufferable! Certainly not projecting or anything of the sort. I’m grumbling because Marius gives in and calls him ‘Father’ way too readily and Gillenormand does not deserve it. Actually, I’ve changed my mind about this entire book, it does have a villain and his name is Gillenormand.
Another terrible chapter translation. I have “Mlle. Gillenormand at last thinks it not improper that Monsieur Fauchelevent should come in with something under his arm.” Nothing to do with the marriage match at all, but I can understand if this title was too long for Wraxall to make it through the entire thing.
Monsieur Tranchelevent, I’m…categorically dying. This is my last gasp.
These chapters are the Gillenormand special, he’s just a gross, old grandpa who makes inappropriate remarks and dated references. Not only does he speak way too openly about how much of a precious doll Cosette is, Gillenormand goes on about money in an unseemly way. I don’t really understand why he can’t just leave all his money, or a significant chunk of it, to Marius, “after my death, twenty years from now,” (ha!) or just…leave his annuity to Marius? Besides, Marius has a whole profession! He can certainly make a decent living as a lawyer, if not retired bourgeoisie money. Whatever, Valjean is secretly a rich paranoiac who—rightfully, if this annuity bullshit is the best society can offer—doesn’t bother with banks and has a hoard of money stashed away.
It’s around here when Marius’s thematic journey crumbles for me. After his entire journey of self discovery through poverty, love, and war, all for staunchly standing by his beliefs. The subsequent challenging of those beliefs and opportunities for learning and change. And where does he end up? Back at his rich grandfather’s house being called the Baron Pontmercy and guaranteed enough wealth to keep him in upper class comfort for the rest of his life. His changed beliefs don’t matter, watching all of his friends die for a cause doesn’t matter, having Cosette by his side doesn’t matter. Where’s the moment where Frodo realizes his experiences have changed him too profoundly for him to go back to his old life? This is a cry ending in a whimper. There is no “Do You Hear the People Sing (Reprise).”
Let’s forget money and admire some paintings of Cosette done by Jean-Baptiste Greuze. Gillenormand is right about some things.
