In moments like these, offering up his heart at the hour that night flowers offer up their perfume, lit up like a lamp in the middle of the starry night, full of ecstasy in the middle of the universal radiance of creation, he could not perhaps have said himself what was happening in his spirit; he felt something soar up out of him and something fly down into him. Mysterious exchanges between the bottomless well of the soul and the bottomless well of the universe!
In this passage from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, the protagonist experiences a profound moment of connection between his inner self and the vast universe. He likens this feeling to the way night flowers release their fragrance, suggesting that his emotions are both powerful and captivating. This imagery conveys a sense of joy and enlightenment as he receives and expresses love and creativity in a mesmerizing cosmic setting.
The author captures the essence of spiritual awakening and the enigmatic communication that occurs when one's soul opens up to the world. There is a sense of duality in this experience, as something from within him rises while something from the universe descends, illustrating the deep bond between humanity and the cosmos. Hugo excels in portraying these fleeting moments that spark ecstatic realizations about existence and the interconnectedness of all beings.