In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," the theme of debt is presented as a form of subjugation, portraying the burdens of financial obligations as a pathway to enslavement. The assertion that owing money leads to a loss of autonomy suggests that financial dependency strips away personal freedom. This perspective highlights how creditors exert control not just over a person's labor, but over their very identity and self-worth.

The comparison of a creditor to a boss emphasizes a deeper loss; while a boss may control one's physical presence, a creditor has the power to undermine one’s dignity and self-respect. This frightening dynamic illustrates the moral and emotional ramifications that come with debt, revealing how it can distort personal relationships and one's sense of self, making the struggle against financial bondage a central theme in the narrative.