In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the concept of life and death is presented as a complex journey. At the end of life, death is seen as a departure from existence, a transition to another state. It represents an ending, a farewell to the experiences and connections that defined one's life. This interpretation highlights the inevitability and the natural progression of life towards its conclusion.

Conversely, at the beginning of life, the notion of departure is equated with death. This juxtaposition illustrates how the arrival of new life signifies the end of a previous state, emphasizing the cyclical nature of existence. In this way, Hugo invites readers to reflect on the profound connections between beginnings and endings, showing that both death and life are integral to the human experience.