In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," he highlights the significance of dolls in a girl's childhood, describing them as both a crucial necessity and an enchanting aspect of feminine development. Dolls serve as tools for nurturing and teaching, allowing young girls to explore caregiving through activities like dressing and rocking their toy companions. This play reflects the formative stage of their future roles as women, embedding essential skills and instincts.
The act of caring for dolls is symbolic of the broader preparation for womanhood, as it embodies various facets of emotional and social development. By engaging in these imaginative and nurturing behaviors, girls learn foundational aspects of empathy, responsibility, and relationship dynamics, ultimately shaping their future identities within society.