# In the Year 1817 explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter paints a vivid portrait of the year 1817 in France, a time of political calm and social frivolity under Louis XVIII. It introduces four young men—Tholomyès, Blachevelle, Listolier, and Fameuil—and their four young mistresses—Fantine, Dahlia, Zéphine, and Favorite—as they enjoy a carefree, pleasure-seeking life in Paris. The chapter details their outings, conversations, and the superficial charm of their relationships, foreshadowing the darker turns to come.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Injustice and Poverty

The chapter contrasts the carefree lives of the students and their mistresses with the underlying social inequalities of 1817 Paris, hinting at the poverty that will later consume Fantine.

### Love and Compassion

Fantine's genuine love for Tholomyès is set against his superficial affection, highlighting the theme of misguided love and the lack of true compassion in the era.

### The Human Condition and Fate

The chapter explores the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitable descent into suffering, as the characters' present joy foreshadows their tragic fates.

## Character check-ins

### Fantine

Introduced as one of the four young women, Fantine is described as innocent and beautiful, unaware of the impending tragedy of her abandonment.

### Tholomyès

The leader of the four young men, Tholomyès is a wealthy, cynical student who treats his relationship with Fantine as a game.

### Favorite

One of the four mistresses, Favorite is the most experienced and worldly, often leading the group's conversations.

### Dahlia

A young woman in the group, Dahlia is portrayed as pretty and somewhat naive, caught up in the frivolity of the era.

### Zéphine

The fourth of the young women, Zéphine is part of the carefree circle, enjoying the pleasures of youth.

### Blachevelle

One of the four students, Blachevelle is a companion of Tholomyès, sharing in the idle amusements of the group.

## Key lines

> In 1817, the four young men, Tholomyès, Blachevelle, Listolier, and Fameuil, were the four young women, Fantine, Dahlia, Zéphine, and Favorite.

The chapter introduces four couples enjoying a carefree life in Paris in 1817.

_This sets the stage for the characters' relationships and the social context of the story._

> Tholomyès was the leader; he was the eldest, and, as we have said, the most experienced.

Tholomyès is portrayed as the dominant figure among the young men, older and more worldly.

_Highlights Tholomyès' role and his cynical influence over the group._

> Fantine was one of those beings who blossom, as it were, from the heart of the people.

Fantine is depicted as a natural, innocent beauty emerging from the common people.

_Foreshadows her vulnerability and the social forces that will lead to her downfall._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/book-iii-in-the-year-1817
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters