Chapter 14- The Bishop's Candlesticks

The Convict goes to Paris, sells the silver candlesticks and starts a business. The

business prospers and he starts a reformatory for ex-convicts. He writes a letter to the

Bishop telling him of this reformatory and seeks his blessings.

As the convict, Jean Valjean, write the letter to the Bishop.

Conduct a debate in the class (in groups) on the following topic. Instruction for

conducting a debate (and the use of appropriate language) are given in the unit

“Children” of the Main Course Book.

'Criminals are wicked and deserve punishment'

 Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict's life?

'I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.”

Persome would be distressed on Mere Gringoire's being taken in because

________.

(i) she did not want to help anyone

(ii) she felt that Mere Gringoire was taking undue advantage of the Bishop

(iii) she was a self-centred person

(iv) she would be put to a great deal of inconvenience

'I offered to take her in here for a day or two, but she seemed to think it might distress you.”

The Bishop wanted to take Mere Grngoire in because _________.

(i) she was sick

(ii) she had no money

(iii) she was unable to pay the rent of her house

(iv) she was a close friend of Persome

Why did she send Jean to the Bishop?

(i) so that he could pray for her

(ii) as she knew that he was a generous person

(iii) as she was a greedy woman

(iv) as she was a poor woman

'She sent little Jean to Monseigneur to ask for help, and - '

Who sent little Jean to the Bishop?

(i) Mere Gringoire

(ii) Marie

(iii) Persome

(iv) Marie's mother

Monseigneur the Bishop is a ------------ahem!'

Why is she angry with the Bishop?

(i) The Bishop has sold her salt-cellars.

(ii) The Bishop has gone to visit Mere Gringoire.

(iii) He showed extra concern for Marie.

(iv) She disliked the Bishop.

Monseigneur the Bishop is a ------------ahem!'

Why does Persome not complete the sentence?

(i) She used to stammer while speaking.

(ii) She was about to praise the Bishop.

(iii) She did not wish to criticise the Bishop in front of Marie.

(iv) She had a habit of passing such remarks.

Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?

Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

 The convict says, “I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” What does he mean by this statement?

Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

  Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/why not?

Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words.

Working in pairs give antonyms of the following words.

Copy and complete the following paragraph about the theme of the play in pairs:

The play deals with a _______________and __________________Bishop who is always

ready to lend a _________________hand to anyone in distress. A _________________

breaks into the Bishop's house and is ___________________________and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat _____________________the convict, but, when he

sees the silver candlesticks, he ____________________ them, and runs away. However, he is _______________________and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a _______________________________. The convict is ___________________by this kindness of the Bishop and before he leaves he seeks the priest's blessing.