Marius Pontmercy - Marius in The Musical - Differences in The Musical

Differences in The Musical

Marius' role in the musical is notably different.

• The subplot involving Thénardier and Marius’ father is left out of the musical (even though it is mentioned that Thénardier was at "the field of Waterloo," where in the novel he met Marius’ father). Therefore, Marius is not indebted to Thénardier and his family.

• In the musical, Éponine and Marius are established as friends. He mourns her death. In the novel, Marius pays little attention to Éponine, except to obtain her help in finding Cosette.

• Marius’ grandfather M. Gillenormand is left out of the musical and no references to Marius’ early life are made, as he is already a student and a member of the Friends of the ABC when he is first introduced.

• In the novel, Marius breaks with the ABC society after only a few meetings, and he and Enjolras do not get along until Marius saves the barricade by threatening to blow it up with a gunpowder keg. In the musical, Marius and Enjolras are depicted as friends, and the "powder keg" incident does not occur, though Enjolras does admonish Marius for letting his romantic thoughts distract him from the revolutionary movement.

• In the novel, Marius' closest friend among the students is Courfeyrac. In the musical, he appears to be closer to Enjolras, and exchanges in teasing with Grantaire, although he still seems to be good friends with Courfeyrac as he is the first to notice Marius' dreamy appearance and asked what's wrong with him.

• Marius' political opinions play a larger role in the novel. He describes himself as a "Bonapartist democrat", which sets him in opposition to the rest of the ABC society, who are republicans. His Bonapartism is influenced by his devotion to his dead father.

• Marius does not resent Valjean as he does in the novel, though he still tells Éponine not to let Cosette’s father know that he is trying to find Cosette, indicating that he is wary of Valjean. Marius and Valjean also show a more sympathetic attitude toward each other in the musical, and Valjean seems genuinely concerned for Marius' life outside his relationship with Cosette.

• Marius' romance with Cosette progresses more rapidly, and it appears that he first sees Cosette, meets her, and prepares to leave for the barricade in the space of one day. In the novel, his feelings for Cosette develop more gradually, and he is separated from her for about six months before he finds her again. In both, he eventually is helplessly in love with her.

• Marius’ motive for participating in the uprising (he cannot bear to live without Cosette) is the same as in the novel, but the musical does not mention the fact that he does not have enough money to follow Cosette to England. The musical focuses more on his heroic, loyal nature in that aspect.

• Marius' lodging at the Gorbeau House is not mentioned in the musical and the scene in which he spies on the Jondrettes (Thénardiers) is omitted, but he is a witness when they try to rob Valjean (see song list for information).

• When Valjean tells Marius of his true past as a convict, Marius is shocked, but more at the fact that Valjean insists he must go away. He seems to focus more on the good Valjean has done and how it would affect Cosette. Marius even tries to convince him to stay, but reluctantly agrees to Valjean's request that he never tell Cosette. In the novel, Marius is rather shrewd and cruel, saying that Valjean would only embarrass both Cosette and himself and tells him to go, granting him a little time with Cosette each night.