LES MISERABLES #4

                                           WEEK #7

    In chapter 4, Myriel comes to the cell of condemned murderer who is full of rage and sorrow, and 

utterly lacking in remorse for his crimes. Myriel sits by him all night and speaks to him with the 

tenderness of a father or brother, helping to come to peace with his life and face death calmly. Myriel is 

haunted and disgusted by the man’s execution by guillotine; he despises laws that require the death 

penalty. Moreover, the bishop is a scholarly and learned man. When he is not tending to his people, he 

studies the Bible in a variety of languages and reads the work of obscure theologians. His only two 

indulgences are keeping an immaculately clean house and retaining a few items made from silver, 

including knives, forks, a two beautiful candlesticks that he inherited from a great-aunt. Despite these 

cherished treasures, Myriel never locks his doors at night; he wants to be available to anyone with need at 

any time of night.