Quote: "Alas! What are all these destinies driven helter-skelter? Where do they go? Why are they what they are?He who knows that sees all darkness.He is alone. His name is God." - Les Misérables
Question: Why does Hugo keep referring to God in this text? What connections or allusions is he trying to make, if any at all?
Comment: I'm mainly curious as to what reason Hugo references God frequently in this text. Was it simply because religion had a strong standing and would makae his text appeal to more people or for a deeper reason? Did he want to show people that even if their efforts to become a better person go by largely unnoticed that there is always someone who appreciates it? How about the poor and suffering as they struggle each and every day; who else is noticing what they go through? During my research I came across a brief passage that also mentioned Hugo's recurring references. It never went into much detail (unless I need to find it and reread it again), but was this common back in his day and age?
3 comments:
Y'know in Retrospect it seems like I "commented" my question with more questions, but that's really what I have to say about it.
During this time period people were still firm believers in God. Not to say that firm believers still don't exist today, but during this time going to church was like breathing. So I think that Hugo keeps referring to God in his text because that was all the people then had to believe in.
That is a really good question. I actually have a similar question myself in my third QQC. I believe that Catholicism was very powerful at the time and therefore the government applied it in society. Hugo tries to make a positive connection of Catholicism (ex. the Bishop's kindness)and it was possible that it was just inspiring to him.
AnDrEa
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