In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," a character experiences a profound emotional turmoil as memories from his past flood his mind, colliding with his current reality. This confrontation between past and present overwhelms him, causing him to weep in anguish. The act of crying releases a deep-seated sorrow that he can no longer contain.

As he reflects on the contrast between what was and what is, he feels a sense of being halted in his life's journey. This moment of introspection reveals the struggle of coming to terms with lost opportunities and unfulfilled dreams, leading to a visceral struggle that manifests as deep despair.