Penetrate, at certain hours, past the livid face of a human being who is engaged in reflection, and look behind, gaze into that soul, gaze into that obscurity. There, beneath that external silence, battles of giants, like those recorded in Homer, are in progress; skirmishes of dragons and hydras and swarms of phantoms, as in Milton; visionary circles, as in Dante. What a solemn thing is this infinity which every man bears within him, and which he measures with despair against the caprices of his brain and the actions of his life!
Victor Hugo, in "Les Miserables," invites us to explore the profound inner life of individuals, suggesting that beneath a seemingly calm exterior lies a tumultuous world of thoughts and emotions. He likens these internal struggles to epic battles, reminiscent of literature's greatest works, where profound conflicts unfold silently within the human soul. This imagery evokes a sense of the grandeur and complexity of human experiences that often remain concealed from the outside world.
Hugo emphasizes the vastness of this inner landscape, portraying it as an infinite domain that each person navigates. The despair that arises from trying to reconcile this inner depth with the unpredictability of life and thoughts adds to the gravity of the human condition. He underscores the stark contrast between the intricate battles within oneself and the outward displays of life, reminding us of the rich, albeit often chaotic, psychological journey that defines our existence.
