Book V: The Descent, Chapter IX: Madame Thenardier at Her Zenith
Victor Hugo
In a world riven by poverty and moral ambiguity, the bond between characters can become a lifeline. Here, Hugo sketches a relationship of mutual dependence and salvation—each supports the other’s journey through an unforgiving world. In the broader tapestry of "Les Misérables," such connections are rare beacons of hope amidst a sea of despair. This relationship is a microcosm of the novel's larger themes of interdependence and redemption in a fractured society.