In "Les Miserables," Victor Hugo highlights the pervasive influence of Jesus Christ's teachings on civilization, suggesting that while these principles guide society, they have not fully integrated into its fabric. He emphasizes a distinction between the disappearance of slavery as an institution and the continued existence of exploitation, particularly through the lens of women's suffering.

Hugo points out that, while traditional forms of slavery may have faded in Europe, a new form persists—prostitution. This statement underscores the ongoing struggles women face, indicating that societal progress has not eradicated all forms of subjugation, but rather transformed them into different manifestations that still enslave individuals in modern times.