Within his dramatic story are themes that capture the intellect and the emotions: crime and punishment, the relentless persecution of Valjean by Inspector Javert, the desperation of the prostitute Fantine, the amorality of the rogue Thénardier, and the universal desire to escape the prisons of our own minds. Les Misérables gave Victor Hugo a canvas upon which he portrayed his criticism of the French political and judicial systems, but the portrait that resulted is larger than life, epic in scope—an extravagant spectacle that dazzles the senses even as it touches the heart.
Favorite quotes from March
“There are truly astonishing recoveries, great joys have been known to arrest illness.”
“Soeur Simplice, who never lied, lied“ This nun who lied to protect the good man reminded me of The Sound of Music musical where the nuns confess to Reverend Mother about their ‘sin’ of taking cars of the Nazi apart.
“She suffered the promiscuous fate of ashes. She was thrown into the common grace. Her last resting-place was like her bed.”
Waterloo: I barely had any quotes and had to make myself read it in hopes it makes sense to have the knowledge later on in the book! OYE.
“Napoleon had been denounced in the realms of the infinite and his downfall had been decided. He was an inconvenience to God. Waterloo is no battle. It is a change of font in the universe.”
“Waterloo is an enigma. It is as obscure to those who won as it is to those who lost it. For Napoleon it was panic. “
“What must be admired in the battle of Waterloo is England. England, English steadfastness, English resolution, English blood. With all due respect, what was superb about England in this instance was England herself ,not her captain, her army. “
“BUT this great England will be annoyed by what we say. After her own 1688 and our 1789 she still cherishes the feudal illusion. She believes in heredity and hierarchy.”
“A ghastly common grave in 1793, The Madeleine Cemetery, with the bones of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette lying in the dust that was now covered with jasper and marble.”
“I saved your LIFE. Now fend for yourself. What’s your rank? Sargent. What’s your name? Thénardier. I shan’t forget that name. …”
” From then on everything was done on small scale not large scale, for money instead of the general good……….”
“He digs and in the dark hole buries a treasure, a sou, coins, stones, a corpse, phantoms and nothing.”
That’s it for March a tough reading month. To match a tough living month.
On to April.
