Eponine As Foils In Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables'

The novel The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini introduces multiple cases in which society defines people as well as the novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. In Les Miserables, Cosette is introduced as the daughter of Fantine. She was given to the Thenardiers, a family who owned an Inn and treated her like a slave. Since a young age she was made to take the role of a grown women. She was saved by Jean ValJean, a formal criminal who changed his life.

I agree with the statement that in the novel Les Miserables, the author Victor Hugo is trying to say that human nature is basically good. In the most basic sense, the definition of good trying to do the right thing, even if there are negative consequences. It often means having to sacrifice and give up something to do the right thing. Throughout the book, many characters sacrifice their happiness and morals in order to do what they believe is the right and fair thing. Even when faced with serious consequences for being honest, characters more often than not still choose to do the right thing. Some may argue that Victor Hugo is saying that human nature is basically evil because some characters commit evil actions. However, in most cases, characters don’t always have evil intentions, their execution is just poor and makes them seem evil. Everyone thinks of themselves as a hero, almost everything a character does is because that’s what they believe is the right thing to do. Whether or not it really is could be up for debate but for the most part, most characters don’t have evil intentions and attempt to usually do the right thing. Victor Hugo is saying that as a whole, human nature is inherently good.

<br>First off, is the element of forgiveness. In a book of mistrust, poverty, and hate…forgiveness thrives in the world of Les Miserables. The first example of this was at the very beginning, when Jean Valjean stayed with the bishop. Valjean stole his silver…and ran off. He ends up being caught by police, but when the police questioned the bishop, he claimed to have given the silver to Valjean. Jean was confused…and the

Sacrifice is a prominent part of human living. In order to get what is needed or wanted, sacrifice is necessary, whether it is small or great. In the novel, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, he shows that in society, those with less must often sacrifice more. Hugo conveys sacrifice through the characters Fantine and Jean Valjean, by showing how they sacrifice in order to gain and also how their poverty makes their sacrifice even greater.

Nurse and Lady Capulet Foils A foil is a literary element utilized in Shakespeare’s famous plays, such as Romeo and Juliet. A foil is used to put emphasis on stark contrasts in two characters. One of the most prominent foils featured in Romeo and Juliet is Lady Capulet and the Nurse.

The fact that Desiree derives her happiness from pleasing Armand shows that she is not only his slave, but also that she helps to put herself into this position.  “When he frowned she trembled, but loved him” (317).  Desiree’s simultaneous fear and love of Armand elevates him to a god-like status in

William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet relays Hamlet’s quest to avenge the murder of his father, the king of Denmark. The late King Hamlet was murdered by his brother, Claudius, who took the throne and Hamlet’s mother Gertrude for himself. Hamlet is beseeched by the ghost of his father to take vengeance upon Claudius; while he swears to do so, the prince inexplicably delays killing Claudius for months on end. Hamlet’s feeble attempt to first confirm his uncle’s guilt with a play that recounts the murder and his botched excuses for not killing Claudius when the opportunity arises serve as testimony to Hamlet’s true self. Hamlet is riddled with doubt towards the validity of the ghost and his own ability to carry out the act necessary to

It’s the homeless people, who've got nothing to lose…’” (147,149). The politics of the working class are also in opposition to the bourgeois who are devoted to the government of the Second Empire. As Lisa keeps consuming food, she increases her status and reputation as one of the virtuous, honest citizens responsible for keeping an eye on Florent and others who are thin and suspicious. As a result of having money, she has power, influence, and is respected by others. Her power and influence gives her status and reputation in the Les Halles market community. Through the description of the market politics and society, Zola portrays Lisa as someone who everyone strives to be, except for some of the Thin people. The Thin believe the Fat are corrupted and are taking more than their share of the wealth and power. Lisa is one part of the political power dynamic, the other side is Florent - a juxtaposition of the Fat and Thin.

Everyone needs someone to love and care for as well as someone who can return that love and care. When Cosette comes into Valjean’s life, it makes him feel something he didn’t feel in a long time, “When he saw Cosette, when he had taken her, carried her away, and rescued her, he felt his heart move” (123). At this point, she becomes more than just a girl but another symbol in Valjean’s

Madame Pernelle knows her station in life as set forth by society. The reader can assume that she is an older lady and has been brought up in social circles. Despite being a widow, she does not seem to possess great independence. Her harsh words to her family members preach traditional values, such as leaving business matters and advice to the men, but merely uttering those words in mixed company she pushes against the societal walls. She may not have a great sense of independence, but she does express her opinion, and even argues with men, namely Cleante and Orgon.

Rich ones acted like evil people, while the poor were not very much, like people at all; for the poor were depressed. Charles shows the bad stuff happening to peasants, to show how much of a necessity the French revolution was.

Jean Valjean sacrificed much as he sought redemption. One of the first sacrifices that Jean Valjean makes is that of his identity, during the Champmathieu affair. As Monsieur Madeleine, Jean Valjean was a trusted official in a high position. He struggled with himself when he heard that the ‘real’ Jean Valjean had been caught: should he stay in M—sur m—where he was comfortable and popular, or do the right thing, remove a man from an undeserved galley life, and become a convict once more. When Madeleine revealed himself as Jean Valjean, he forever gave up that comfortable position of authority. He became a convict again – a wanted convict. He would now live out the rest of his life hiding, of not running, from the police. Jean sacrificed his safety. Saving Marius’ life by carrying him through the sewers also proved to be a sacrifice. Jean’s entire existence revolved around Cosette. She was what kept him on the track the bishop set him on. He adored her. He was devastated to learn that she was in love with Marius, yet he saved

Desiree has a genuine love for people. She is the wife of a slave owner but is saddened by the cruelty inflicted on the slaves by her husband. After the birth of her their son, Armand grows kinder and is not harsh to the slaves. She whispers to her mother “he hasn’t punished one of them, not one since the baby is born” (540). Desiree loves her husband unconditionally, despite his occasional negative behavior. She also loves her son despite the negative murmurings from others. She is an individual who loves others despite the ultimate betrayal from her husband, Armand. I can identify with Desiree because I am a person who loves family. I enjoy helping others, and sometimes my efforts go unappreciated. Loving others and providing assistance does not mean your efforts/deeds will be appreciated or reciprocated. I cannot change my personality or my desire to help others. My desire to help others is what makes me what I have become, a good man.

When jane was questioned if she had poor family would she rather live with them and be happy or stay miserable with the reeds she made it evident that despite her unhappiness she preferred to live with the rich because poverty was looked down. Those who were poor were treated badly, jane eyre is a perfect example.

Doctor Manette’s prison account clearly demonstrates the class gap, “The speaker [the Marquis] seemed to acknowledge that it was inconvenient to have that different order of creature [the peasant] dying there, and that it would have been better if he died in the usual obscure routine of his vermin kind” (Dickens 329). Not only is there an extreme difference in lifestyle, but the upper class also treats the lower class with extreme disdain. The treatment of the people at the hands of their “betters” and the class gap catalyzes the French Revolution.