Whoever you may be, if your name is Prejudice, Abuse, Ignorance, Oppression, Iniquity, Despotism, Injustice, Fanaticism, Tyranny, beware of the gaping gamin. The little fellow will grow up.
In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," there is a warning directed towards oppressive forces and harmful societal behaviors personified through names like Prejudice, Injustice, and Tyranny. The message underlines the idea that these negative traits may seem small or insignificant at first, like a child, but they possess the potential to mature into something far more formidable and destructive. The metaphorical "gaping gamin" symbolizes the latent power of the oppressed, which, if ignored, can erupt into significant resistance against injustice.
This quote serves as a cautionary reminder that societal ills must be acknowledged and addressed, as they can grow and lead to upheaval. Hugo's work highlights the struggle between the oppressor and the oppressed, emphasizing the inevitability of change when injustice prevails. The underlying theme is that a society that allows prejudice and tyranny to thrive is sowing the seeds of its own downfall, preparing for a future conflict between the oppressed and their oppressors.
