While Fantine is ill in the hospital, Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean
Jean Valjean is the protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. Hugo depicts the character's 19-year-long struggle to lead a normal life after serving a prison sentence for stealing bread to feed his sister's children during a time of economic depression and various attempts to es…
Cosette
Cosette is a fictional character in the novel Les Misérables by Victor Hugo and in the many adaptations of the story for stage, film, and television. Her birth name, Euphrasie, is only mentioned briefly. As the orphaned child of an unmarried mother deserted by her father, Hugo n…
Who is Fantine in Cosette?
Fantine (1796 - 1823) was a main character in the series, and the mother of Cosette. Fantine was a caring mother who deeply cared for Cosette, having worked extremely hard for several years just to scrape up enough money to be able to live with her.
What happens to Fantine after she leaves Cosette?
Even after she leaves Cosette with an innkeeper and finds a job, Fantine is fired because of her relationship with Tholomyès. Forced into prostitution for survival, Fantine's focus remains solidly on her daughter. When she is arrested, Fantine's first concern is not the months she will stay in prison, "but what will become of Cosette?"
How does Fantine meet the Thénardiers?
By the time Cosette is approximately three, Fantine arrives at Montfermeil and meets the Thénardiers who are owners of an inn. She asks them to care for Cosette when she sees their daughters Éponine and Azelma playing outside.
What does Fantine look like in real life?
Physical Appearance. In the beginning, Fantine was a ravishingly beautiful young girl who could be compared to a Greek Goddess: thick, long, slightly wavy blonde tresses, delicate features, deep blue eyes with long dark eyelashes, rosy lips, splendid white teeth, a statuesque physique, and small arched feet.
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What happens to Cosette at the end?
On Christmas of 1823, Cosette is adopted (and saved) by Jean Valjean. Later she grows into a beautiful young girl and marries Marius Pontmercy near the end of the story. She is also one of the few characters to have survived the entire course of the novel and musical.
Is Valjean in love with Cosette?
During this whole part, Valjean and Cosette are unnamed, as the action is seen from Marius Pontmercy's point of view. They are described only as a father and daughter, whom Marius notices on his daily walks in the Jardin du Luxembourg. He ignores them at first, but later he and Cosette fall in love.
Is Cosette Fantine's daughter?
Euphrasie, nicknamed Cosette by her mother, is the illegitimate daughter of Fantine and Félix Tholomyès, a rich student. She is born in Paris circa 1815.
How old is Fantine in Les Miserables?
Fantine Female, 20s-30s. beautiful young woman; abandoned by her lover, is left to fend for herself and her daughter Cosette. She is a noble and proud character, whose life becomes a series of terrible events that rob her of her pride, character, and ultimately her life. Cosette Female, late teens-20s.
Did Felix love Fantine?
Félix Tholomyès is the former lover of Fantine and the biological father of Cosette, though this was never mentioned in the musical....Félix TholomyèsRelationshipsFantine (ex-lover)Title(s)LexyJobLawyerBehind the scenes8 more rows
Who did Fantine fall in love with?
Félix TholomyèsFantine is passionately in love with Félix Tholomyès, one of a quartet of students.
How old was Cosette when she got married?
Cosette: Fantine's daughter who lives as a servant to the Thénardiers, Cosette is rescued by Valjean at age eight and is raised by him in Paris, knowing nothing about her past. At seventeen, she meets and falls in love with Marius, and eventually marries him.
Why did Fantine sell her teeth?
In the acclaimed musical and novel Les Miserables, an unmarried woman named Fantine struggles to support her daughter in 19th century France. Fantine resorts to selling her possessions, her hair, her teeth, and eventually herself in order to send more and more money to the family caring for Cosette.
Who was Cosette's biological father?
Jean ValjeanCosette / Father
How much weight did Anne Hathaway lose for Les Misérables?
To portray the young orphan, Hathaway lost 25 pounds, and tells PEOPLE's editor-in-chief Jess Cagle in the latest episode of The Jess Cagle Interview that she “wasn't in a good place” during that time. “I'd lost an unhealthy amount of weight in two weeks,” Hathaway, 36, reveals in PEOPLE's latest cover story.
Is Cosette a French name?
Cosette is a feminine name of French and Greek origins that will sure to have baby reaching for success. Coming from the Greek name Nicolette, it translates to “people of victory,” and is a wonderful choice to inspire baby to strive to win.
Is Les Mis a true story?
Les Misérables was inspired in part by the true story of Eugène-François Vidocq, who turned a criminal career into an anti-crime industry. He created the Bureau des Renseignements, said to be the world's first detective agency, in 1833, though he himself continued to be pursued by police.
Is there a love story in Les Miserables?
The love story is ultimately a father/daughter story, one where the father will do anything for his beloved daughter, to the point where his entire being is transformed for the better. And Cosette, for her part, finds belonging and family after suffering a childhood of brutal abuse.
Who is Eponine in love with?
Marius PontmercyÉponine ThénardierFamilyMonsieur Thénardier (father) Madame Thénardier (mother) Azelma (sister) Gavroche (brother) Two unnamed younger brothersRelationshipsMarius Pontmercy (love interest; unrequited)JobNone; fought with Les Amis De l'ABC, and helped her father with his crimesBehind the scenes10 more rows
How does Les Miserables end?
Marius eventually finds out from Thénardier that Valjean saved Marius's life. Ashamed that he mistrusted Valjean, Marius tells Cosette everything that has happened. Marius and Cosette rush to Valjean's side just in time for a final reconciliation. Happy to be reunited with his adopted daughter, Valjean dies in peace.
How did Valjean break parole?
Valjean steals silver from the bishop and is shortly caught by the police. However, the bishop lies to save Valjean and helps him begin a new life (Valjean Arrested, Valjean Forgiven). Humbled by the bishop's mercy and kindness, Valjean decides to follow the bishop's advice and breaks his parole.
Why does Fantine leave Cosette?
Fantine leaves Cosette so she can work, in hopes of making enough money to support herself and her child. The Thénardiers take Cosette in because they're getting paid to do so. They treat Cosette harshly as a laborer instead of a child.
Why did Fantine live in the factory?
Fantine could live at the factory because she worked there, but the factory was not going to support a child who didn't work.
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Did Fantine have a child?
Worse, for Fantine even to have a child without being married was considered scandalous and could cost her her job. And it did, once her co-workers and the foreman learned about it.
How long is Fantine's relationship with Cosette's father?
Fantine's relationship with Cosette's father lasts a matter of months ("He slept a summer by my side...He filled my days with endless wonder...He took my childhood in his stride...But he was gone when autumn came"). In the novel, they are together for three years, and Cosette is already two years old when Fantine is abandoned.
Why is Fantine called Fantine?
Hugo introduces Fantine as one of four fair girls attached to young, wealthy students. "She was called Fantine because she had never been known by any other name...". She is described as having, "gold and pearls for her dowry; but the gold was on her head and the pearls in her mouth.".
Why did Fantine become a prostitute?
In order to continue to earn money for Cosette, Fantine becomes a prostitute. During a January evening, a dandy called Bamatabois heckles her and shoves snow down the back of her dress when she ignores him. Fantine ferociously attacks him. Javert, the town's police inspector, immediately arrests her while Bamatabois sneaks away. She begs to be let go, but Javert sentences her to six months in prison. Valjean arrives to help Fantine, but upon seeing him she spits in his face. Dismissing the act, Valjean orders Javert to free Fantine, which he reluctantly does. Valjean comes to find out the reasons Fantine became a prostitute and why she attacked Bamatabois. He feels sorry for the innocent Fantine and Cosette, and tells her that he will retrieve Cosette for her. He sends Fantine to the hospital, as she is suffering from tuberculosis .
How do the Thénardiers buy Cosette's skirt?
The Thénardiers then send a letter stating they need ten francs so they can "buy" a woolen skirt for Cosette. To buy the skirt herself, Fantine has her hair cut off and sold. She then says to herself "My child is no longer cold, I have clothed her with my hair." However, she soon begins to despise the mayor for her misfortunes. She later takes on a lover, only for him to beat her and then abandon her. The Thénardiers send another letter saying they need forty francs to buy medicine for Cosette who has become "ill." Desperate for the money, Fantine has her two front teeth removed and sells them.
What is Fantine's only will to live?
Fantine's only will to live is keeping Cosette alive. She becomes a worker in Mayor Madeleine's (a.k.a. Jean Valjean 's) factory in her hometown of Montreuil-sur-Mer, and has a public letter-writer compose her letters to the Thénardiers for her because she is illiterate.
What happened to Fantine after he abandoned her?
Originally a beautiful and naive girl, Fantine is eventually forced by circumstances to become a prostitute, selling her hair and front teeth, losing her beauty and health. The money she earns is sent to support her daughter.
Why was Fantine fired?
Fantine is fired by a meddlesome supervisor, Madame Victurnien, without the knowledge of the mayor , when she finds out that Fantine is an unwed mother. Fantine begins to work at home, earning twelve sous a day while Cosette's lodging costs ten. Her overworking causes her to become sick with a cough and fever. She also rarely goes out, fearing the disgrace she would face from the townspeople.
Where do Fantine and Cosette live?
Having come from Paris, eventually they come upon the village of Montfermeil, but find no places which are either hiring, or will accept a mother with a young child. At one point, when stopping by at a baker's shop, the baker informs her of a rumor that a village by the name of Montreuil-Sur-Mer is bustling, due to the installment of a black glass factory; Fantine thinks over the prospect to herself, knowing that such a journey would be tough for a child as young as Cosette. Hearing the sound of children nearby, the two come upon an inn known as The Seargent of Waterloo, run by the Thénardiers, with the couple supporting a young family. The Thénardiers agree to look after Cosette while Fantine continues to search for a job out of town. This causes a great deal of distress for both Fantine and Cosette, but it is necessary in order for Fantine to successfully find a job. Later, during sunset, Fantine heads off as Cosette sadly looks on.
What is the bond between Fantine and Cosette?
In the novel, the degree of the bond between Fantine and Cosette was small. In the Anime, Cosette shows a fair amount of love towards her mother, even after her death
Why does Fantine sell her hair?
Desperate to find a more permanent means of earning money, Fantine sells her hair in order to buy a skirt for Cosette during the winter (another one of Thénardier's money-milking lies).
Why does Fantine return to the homeless camp?
Due to Fantine's aloofness with fellow co-workers, and constant letter-receiving, suspicions arise that Fantine may have a secret lover outside the factory. A tuberculosis-infected Fantine returns to the homeless camp after being robbed.
Why does Fantine send money to the Thénardiers?
Over the course of several years, Fantine tirelessly accumulates money to send to the Thénardiers in order to pay for the expenses of Cosette, many of which are exaggerated lies in order to milk more money out of Fantine.
What is Fantine's final scene?
Fantine's final scene in the series is as a spirit alongside Bishop Myriel to take the dying Valjean to heaven. At one point, she states Cosette's name, causing her daughter to turn her head to the direction of her mother, sensing her presence. Valjean dies soon afterward with Marius and Cosette sobbing at his side.
Why was Fantine called cold?
Her former boss at the black glass factory said that her coworkers described her as "cold", due to her secrecy about having an illegitimate child.
Where do Valjean and Cosette find themselves?
After climbing over a wall, they soon find themselves in the Petit-Picpus Convent. The gardener Fauchelevant, who was once rescued by Valjean in Montreuil-sur-Mer, recognizes "Monsieur Madeleine" and is eager to help him.
Where does Cosette leave the convent?
She leaves the convent at the age of thirteen for Paris. It is here Cosette receives her unofficial surname, Fauchelevent. Valjean buys a house in Rue Plumet and hires a maid, Toussaint: the old villa faces a huge and wild garden, where Cosette plays on her own and discovers nature, with Valjean's delight.
What did Valjean teach Cosette?
Valjean has taught Cosette how to read and spell. Once, Cosette told Marius that her name was actually 'Euphrasie' and that 'Cosette' was just a 'silly name they gave her when she was a child'. However, Marius thought 'Cosette' was nicer than 'Euphrasie', and still called her Cosette for the rest of the book.
What does Valjean do after Marius discovers Cosette's address?
After Marius discovers their address, Valjean then takes Cosette away from the Luxembourg Gardens and moves to another house, in which he thought Marius was a hired spy by Javert .
What does Madame Thénardier do to Cosette?
Monsieur and Madame Thénardier themselves mistreat Cosette, and force her to do all the work around the inn - sweeping the floors, scrubbing the tables, beating the rugs, etc. Cosette is forced to dress in rags and go about with no shoes even in the snow, and is regularly beaten.
When did Marius and Cosette get married?
Marius and Cosette at Valjean's deathbed. In February 16 of 1833 , Marius and Cosette are married. The next morning, Valjean tells Marius of his criminal history. This leads Marius to believe Valjean is dangerous, and asks him to leave him and Cosette.
Where did Cosette's childhood take place?
Cosette's Childhood in Montfermeil: When she is nearly three, Cosette's mother, Fantine, leaves her with the Thénardiers and gives them money to look after her. The two similarly-aged daughters of the Thénardiers, Éponine and Azelma play with Cosette at first upon their first meeting and are kind to her.
What were Fantine's features?
She was also said to have long, white, and slender fingers. Her two most notable features were her blonde hair and white teeth, to the extent where she was described as having "gold and pearls for her dowry, but the gold was on her hair, and the pearls were in her mouth". However, as she gradually sank into poverty, she was forced to sell her hair and her two front teeth to pay what the Thénardiers said is for Cosette's medicine and clothing.
What is Fantine's physical appearance?
In the beginning, Fantine was a ravishingly beautiful young girl who could be compared to a Greek Goddess: thick, long, slightly wavy blonde tresses, delicate features, deep blue eyes with long dark eyelashes, rosy lips, splendid white teeth, a statuesque physique, and small arched feet.
What did Fantine tell Valjean?
Fantine appeared to Valjean as he passed away, praising him for keeping his promise of raising Cosette with love, and told him that she would take him to Heaven. Fantine doesn't know how to write, but she occasionally teaches herself how.
Why did Fantine go to Paris?
Later, she went to Paris to seek her fortune. By then, Fantine had blossomed into a truly beautiful young girl with blonde hair and fine snowy white teeth. She is abandoned by her lover, Félix Tholomyès when she is twenty. Subsequently, she is unable to take care of her daughter, Euphraise.
Where was Fantine born?
Fantine was born in Montreuil-sur-Mer, in 1796, but it was never revealed as to who her parents were. In fact, the name "Fantine" was given to her by a random passer-by who encountered her when she was a child, and she just agreed with it, and went by that name from then on. Later, she went to Paris to seek her fortune.
Who took care of Fantine?
Fantine was taken care of by Sister Simplice while she was sick, and though the nuns initially disapproved of her due to her being a prostitute, they later changed their opinion of her when it becomes evident how much she truly loved her daughter.
Does Fantine know how to write?
Fantine doesn't know how to write, but she occasionally teaches herself how.
How long is Fantine's relationship with Cosette's father?from en.wikipedia.org
Fantine's relationship with Cosette's father lasts a matter of months ("He slept a summer by my side...He filled my days with endless wonder...He took my childhood in his stride...But he was gone when autumn came"). In the novel, they are together for three years, and Cosette is already two years old when Fantine is abandoned.
Why is Fantine called Fantine?from en.wikipedia.org
Hugo introduces Fantine as one of four fair girls attached to young, wealthy students. "She was called Fantine because she had never been known by any other name...". She is described as having, "gold and pearls for her dowry; but the gold was on her head and the pearls in her mouth.".
What does Valjean order Javert to do?from en.wikipedia.org
Dismissing the act, Valjean orders Javert to free Fantine, which he reluctantly does. Valjean comes to find out the reasons Fantine became a prostitute and why she attacked Bamatabois. He feels sorry for the innocent Fantine and Cosette, and tells her that he will retrieve Cosette for her.
Why did Fantine become a prostitute?from en.wikipedia.org
In order to continue to earn money for Cosette, Fantine becomes a prostitute. During a January evening, a dandy called Bamatabois heckles her and shoves snow down the back of her dress when she ignores him. Fantine ferociously attacks him. Javert, the town's police inspector, immediately arrests her while Bamatabois sneaks away. She begs to be let go, but Javert sentences her to six months in prison. Valjean arrives to help Fantine, but upon seeing him she spits in his face. Dismissing the act, Valjean orders Javert to free Fantine, which he reluctantly does. Valjean comes to find out the reasons Fantine became a prostitute and why she attacked Bamatabois. He feels sorry for the innocent Fantine and Cosette, and tells her that he will retrieve Cosette for her. He sends Fantine to the hospital, as she is suffering from tuberculosis .
How do the Thénardiers buy Cosette's skirt?from en.wikipedia.org
The Thénardiers then send a letter stating they need ten francs so they can "buy" a woolen skirt for Cosette. To buy the skirt herself, Fantine has her hair cut off and sold. She then says to herself "My child is no longer cold, I have clothed her with my hair." However, she soon begins to despise the mayor for her misfortunes. She later takes on a lover, only for him to beat her and then abandon her. The Thénardiers send another letter saying they need forty francs to buy medicine for Cosette who has become "ill." Desperate for the money, Fantine has her two front teeth removed and sells them.
What does Bamatabois want to buy?from en.wikipedia.org
Bamatabois wants to buy Fantine's services, and is angered when she rejects his advances. In the novel, he is a young layabout who humiliates her by putting snow down her dress as if she is an object of fun. Fantine dies peacefully in hospital with Valjean at her side after entrusting him with Cosette.
What did Fantine tell Valjean?from lesmiserables.fandom.com
Fantine appeared to Valjean as he passed away, praising him for keeping his promise of raising Cosette with love, and told him that she would take him to Heaven. Fantine doesn't know how to write, but she occasionally teaches herself how.
Overview
Fantine is a fictional character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. She is a young grisette in Paris who becomes pregnant by a rich student. After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their child, Cosette, on her own. Originally a beautiful and naive girl, Fantine is eventually forced by circumstances to become a prostitute, selling her hair and front teeth, losing h…
In the novel
Hugo introduces Fantine as one of four fair girls attached to young, wealthy students. "She was called Fantine because she had never been known by any other name..." She is described as having, "gold and pearls for her dowry; but the gold was on her head and the pearls in her mouth." Hugo elaborates: "Fantine was fair, without being too conscious of it. She was fair in the two ways—style …
Character
Fantine has been interpreted as a holy prostitute figure who becomes a quintessential mother by sacrificing her own body and dignity for the purpose of securing the life of her child. She is an example of what has been called "the cliché of the saved and saintly prostitute that pervades nineteenth-century fiction", which is also found in the writings of Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Leo Tolstoy a…
In the musical
In the stage musical of the same name, Fantine is one of the central characters.
• Fantine's relationship with Cosette's father lasts a matter of months ("He slept a summer by my side...He filled my days with endless wonder...He took my childhood in his stride...But he was gone when autumn came"). In the novel, they are together for three years, and Cosette is already two years old when Fantine is abandoned.
Adaptations
Since the original publication of Les Misérables in 1862, the character of Fantine has been in a large number of adaptations in numerous types of media based on the novel, including books, films, musicals, plays, and games. Anne Hathaway won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for portraying Fantine in the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables.
External links
• French text of Les Misérables
• Les Misérables at Project Gutenberg – English translation.
• Search for Fantine at the Internet Broadway Database