In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the journey from basic human desires like hunger and thirst to a more profound transformation is depicted. The quote suggests that these elemental needs represent the initial steps of existence, framing them as a universal human experience that can lead individuals down darker paths. It implies that the struggle to satisfy these fundamental needs can twist one's moral compass.

Ultimately, the reference to becoming 'Satan' signifies a complete moral descent, where the relentless pursuit of personal desires can lead to a loss of humanity and ethical integrity. Hugo's work explores the complexities of the human condition, revealing how personal struggles can lead to existential choices that shape one's identity and fate.