Imagery to show Beauty in Les Miserables

(Pepe the Frog as Javert)

Victor Hugo uses imagery in Les Miserables to show the theme of beauty which runs through his writing with characters such as Eponine and Cosette. On page 162 when we first see Cosette being cared for by the Thenardiers she is a miserable child abused by her guardians described as “thin and pale” with “large eyes [that were] sunk in a sort of shadow”. When we see her again, on page 271, many years later, having been cared for and loved by Jean Valjean she is described as having ”Beautiful chestnut hair, shaded with veins of gold, [and] a brow which seemed chiseled marble”. The same happens with Valjean. When he is first seen as a hate filled ex-convict he is described as having a “rough, hard, tired, and fierce look” (14) but later on in the book after being shown kindness and mercy by the Bishop and letting go of all of his hate to help people he is described as having an “expression [that] was kind”(268).

Victor Hugo deliberately hints in Les Miserables to the idea that even people who are ugly or old can be beautiful through their actions and the most beautiful people can be hideous because of the things they do or say. The Bishop “was not tall; he was somewhat fleshy” and was hunched over (5) but the more you read about him and the good deeds he’s done the more beautiful and kind he looks in your mind. Now compared to Eponine who was once very beautiful became evil and corrupt and it shows. On page 163 she’s described as a “lively, neat, plump, fresh and healthy” child. Now, after years of poverty that have made her depraved and dishonest she is described as a “pale, puny, meager creature” with “eyes dull, bold, and drooping”. (285) But later on in the book Eponine becomes pretty again, compared to a star (346) but at the same time she also becomes good; wanting to make Marius smile just so he wouldn’t be sad. As we read of the Bishop’s actions he becomes more beautiful and holy looking while as we read of Eponine’s actions she becomes more hideous until she starts doing kind things, then she becomes beautiful again.