if they had had another neighbor who was less chimerical and more attentive, any ordinary and charitable man, evidently their indigence would have been noticed, their signals of distress would have been perceived, and they would have been taken hold of and rescued! They appeared very corrupt and very depraved, no doubt, very vile, very odious even; but those who fall without becoming degraded are rare;
In "Les Miserables," Victor Hugo reflects on the struggles of the impoverished and the profound effects of neglect from those around them. The author suggests that if the characters had a neighbor who was more observant and compassionate, their dire situation would have been acknowledged, and help would have been extended. This highlights the idea that community support is crucial for those in distress.
Hugo also notes a harsh reality: when people fall into despair, they often appear morally corrupt and unappealing. He emphasizes that it is uncommon for individuals to endure such hardship without losing some sense of their integrity. The narrative underscores the complex relationship between poverty and human dignity, illustrating how neglect can lead to deeper societal issues.
