a sort of family——Gavroche
He's identified with great philosophers, he embodies the spirit of Paris itself—as the gamin, but perhaps in some way Montparnasse does, too, more on that later—(he is the 'fly [who harries] the immense revolutionary coach' mouche de l'immense Coche révolutionnaire). He challenges injustice wherever he finds it—he exhibits a deep concern for the children around him, of whom have also been rejected by their parents. A touching trait, especially in another child——and because of his being deprived of parental examples he invents his own. He is, and isn't, a child himself. He is ready to lend a hand, even to his own father, whether or not the man deserves it. Despite it all, I think that Gavroche is a key character and has one of, if not the, most memorable subplot in his relationship with younger characters and adopting all the Parisian children as his own. Outstripping St. Martin, he gives his entire shawl to a freezing beggar girl, Cambronne-esq his words, defiant to the forces of nature, are hurled. He has a tone, with la Magnon's two lost boys, 'of softened authority and gentle protection' (d'autoriré attendrie et de protection douce). Easily looked over but his line, tugging on the heartstrings of the reader-——you should know——'If I had kids, I'd look after them better than that' (si j'avais des momes, je le serrerais mieux que ca) is completely supported by his deeds. He shares his little room with the children, teaches them how best to survive and feeds them, keeping, forever, the smallest piece of bread for himself. They follow him as Myriel's followers. Gavroche is more than just a paternal figure, though, he treats the children as if they were his siblings—which they are. He teases, and in his words (using 'we' (nous) to speak with them) he transcends the idea of fixed paternal actions and distinguishes himself (for it's easy to forget) as a child alongside them. this boy is both parent and child, father and brother, as others are both male and female (Marius, et al). His benevolence has no limits and he would rescue the rest of France at the barricades.
