Cosette, by learning that she was beautiful, lost the grace of not knowing it; an exquisite grace, for beauty heightened by artlessness is ineffable, and nothing is so adorable as dazzling innocence, going on her way, and holding in her hand, all unconsciousness, the key of a paradise.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," the character of Cosette undergoes a significant transformation when she realizes her own beauty. This newfound awareness strips her of the charming innocence she once possessed. The author highlights the idea that there is a unique grace in being unaware of one’s beauty, which adds a layer of purity and an almost magical quality to a person's presence.
Hugo emphasizes that true beauty is often accentuated by a lack of self-awareness, making it even more enchanting. He suggests that this unpretentious charm, characterized by innocence and the unappreciated aspects of beauty, allows one to navigate through life with an innate sense of wonder, as though holding the key to paradise itself.
