And these things took place, and the kings resumed their thrones, and the master of Europe was put in a cage, and the old régime became the new régime, and all the shadows and all the light of the earth changed place, because, on the afternoon of a certain summer's day, a shepherd said to a Prussian in the forest, Go this way, and not that!
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," a transformative event unfolds when the power dynamics across Europe shift. The narrative reveals that the kings reclaim their authority, while the previous status quo, referred to as the old régime, is restored. The phrase indicates a profound change in the political landscape, suggesting that the actions of individuals can have monumental ramifications.
On a particular summer afternoon, a simple shepherd gives direction to a Prussian man in the forest. This seemingly minor interaction symbolizes the impact of personal choices, highlighting how a single decision can alter the course of history. The quote encapsulates the essence of transformation, where old systems re-emerge, and the roles of light and darkness in the world are fundamentally reshuffled.
