We’re still in a bit of a flash forward to the time of Hugo’s writing, but he is describing his experiences encountering Hougomont and the way what he saw impacted him. This may seem irrelevant, but it does provide us with an interesting angle on a turning point pivotal event that precedes the story we’ve been engaged in, and likely cast a long shadow over all of it.
There are a few themes that come up as Hugo describes the grounds and what he encountered there. He continues to draw attention to the loss of life involved, and the fact that very little had been done to cover up the devastation. Of particular note is a chapel on the grounds that had served as a stronghold of sorts. The French took it, then lost it, then proceeded to set it on fire. Though much of it burned, much stayed intact, and Hugo seems drawn to the crucifix staying untouched (though the infant Jesus statue had it’s blown off entirely by a gunshot). He also points out another cross shaped piece of metal bracing that stayed intact.
The crucifix and the cross. An implement of judgment and justice on it’s own, a cross made crucifix becomes a symbol of mercy and grace. I don’t think it’s inconsequential that Hugo focuses on these as he describes the devastation. There was much suffering that took place here, and it was undoubtedly a place of judgment and reckoning for many, almost on a global scale. On the heels of our tail hitting a climax of Justice and Mercy clashing and meeting for Javert, Fantine, and Valjean, it seems fitting that we’re drawn to a literal battlefield where one of the only things left standing is a crucifix.
Where will our story take us next? What more do we have to learn from the battle of Waterloo? I guess we’ll find out in the chapters ahead.