What is this history of Fantine? It is society purchasing a slave. From whom? From misery. From hunger, cold, isolation, destitution. A dolorous bargain. A soul for a morsel of bread. Misery offers; society accepts. The sacred law of Jesus Christ governs our civilization, but it does not, as yet, permeate it; it is said that slavery has disappeared from European civilization. This is a mistake. It still exists; but it weighs only upon the woman, and it is called prostitution. It weighs upon the woman, that is to say, upon grace, weakness, beauty, maternity. This is not one of the least of man's disgraces.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," the character of Fantine represents the tragic consequences of societal neglect. Her history is a reflection of how society exploits the vulnerable, trading dignity and humanity for basic survival. Fantine's struggle highlights a grim reality where individuals are compelled by dire circumstances—hunger, isolation, and poverty—into a form of slavery. Rather than being free, she is caught in a painful exchange: her soul for mere sustenance.
Hugo critiques the notion of freedom in European civilization, asserting that even if traditional slavery has vanished, its remnants persist. He emphasizes that this new form of oppression primarily affects women, manifesting as prostitution, which exploits their inherent grace and beauty. This societal hypocrisy underscores a profound moral failing where economic desperation leads to the degradation of women, revealing a dark side of a civilization that professes moral values yet allows such injustices to flourish.
