# A Certain Predilection explained — Toilers of the Sea

> Chapter companion for Toilers of the Sea by Victor Hugo.

## What happens

This chapter explores Mess Lethierry's particular tastes and his fastidiousness regarding women's hands, influenced by an observation from Admiral de Suffren. It recounts his past romantic encounters and his decision not to marry due to his exacting standards, as well as his philosophical and satirical nature as a Norman sailor.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Reputation

Lethierry's fastidiousness about women's hands reflects a concern for refinement and social standing, contrasting with the rough life of fishermen's daughters.

### Superstition vs. Progress

The chapter touches on the clash between rustic customs (like using dried manure for fuel) and Lethierry's more refined sensibilities, hinting at a tension between tradition and personal progress.

## Character check-ins

### Mess Lethierry

Described as a child of Nature with uncultivated yet refined tastes, particularly fastidious about women's hands. His past romantic experiences and decision not to marry are detailed.

### Gilliatt

Mentioned briefly as a child of Nature, setting a contrast with Lethierry.

## Key lines

> Gilliatt was a child of Nature. Mess Lethierry was the same. Lethierry’s uncultivated nature, however, was not without certain refinements.

Both Gilliatt and Mess Lethierry are natural and unrefined, but Lethierry has some cultivated tastes.

_Introduces the contrast between the two characters' naturalness and Lethierry's particular refinements._

> He was fastidious upon the subject of women’s hands.

Lethierry had very particular standards about the appearance of women's hands.

_Highlights Lethierry's specific and somewhat unusual preference._

> The exclamation of Admiral de Suffren had rendered Lethierry fastidious and exacting in the matter of small and white hands.

Admiral de Suffren's comment made Lethierry very particular about women having small, white hands.

_Explains the origin of Lethierry's fixation on hands._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se/chapters/ii-a-certain-predilection
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/toilers_of_the_sea_se/chapters