# Volume I: Fantine explained — Les Misérables

> Chapter companion for Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This volume introduces the saintly Bishop Myriel, whose act of mercy towards the ex-convict Jean Valjean sets the stage for Valjean's transformation. The narrative then shifts to Fantine, a young woman abandoned by her lover, who descends into poverty and desperation to provide for her daughter Cosette, ultimately leading to her tragic downfall and encounter with the now-reformed Mayor Madeleine (Valjean).

## Themes in this chapter

### Mercy and Forgiveness

The Bishop's decision to forgive Valjean's theft and gift him the silver candlesticks exemplifies radical mercy, setting Valjean on a path of redemption.

### Social Injustice and Poverty

Fantine's tragic fall from a working woman to a prostitute illustrates the brutal economic forces and social prejudices that crush the poor, especially women.

## Character check-ins

### Monseigneur Bienvenu

The benevolent Bishop of Digne who shows compassion to Jean Valjean, offering him shelter and forgiveness after Valjean steals his silver.

### Jean Valjean

An ex-convict hardened by years of imprisonment; after being shown mercy by the Bishop, he resolves to change his life and later becomes the respected Mayor Madeleine.

### Fantine

A beautiful young woman abandoned by her lover Tholomyès; she leaves her daughter Cosette with the Thénardiers and descends into poverty and prostitution to pay for her child's keep.

### Cosette

Fantine's young daughter, left in the cruel care of the Thénardiers, who exploit her for labor and extort money from her mother.

### Thénardier

The innkeeper who takes in Cosette and, along with his wife, mistreats her while demanding ever-increasing payments from Fantine.

## Key lines

> He slept, but the Bishop watched. The Bishop thought of the man who had been a convict, and of the man who was to become a saint.

While Valjean slept, the Bishop reflected on the potential for redemption in the former convict.

_Highlights the Bishop's hopeful perspective on Valjean's transformation._

> She had loved, and she was a mother; but she had been abandoned, and she was poor.

Fantine loved and became a mother, but after being deserted by her lover, she was left in poverty.

_Summarizes Fantine's vulnerable position and the social consequences of her love._

> The Thénardiers were a married couple, both of whom were avaricious and savage, and both of whom were capable of anything.

The Thénardiers were a greedy and cruel couple, willing to do anything for money.

_Establishes the Thénardiers' exploitative nature towards Cosette._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/volume-i-fantine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters