peremadeleine:

I’ve been pondering the symbolism behind Valjean’s Christmastime rescue of little Cosette since Christmas Day, because honestly, the odds of Hugo choosing Chistmas randomly are pretty slim. He isn’t exactly subtle.

Cosette is hardly the infamous “Christ-like figure” of literature. But there are some striking elements that (deliberately, I would argue) fit in with the Christmas narrative: Valjean’s second gift to Cosette (after the doll, Catharine) is a gold Louis. Ultimately, he gives her three gifts—Catharine, the coin, and a new dress [i.e., the gifts of the Magi].

Cosette also sleeps under the stairs on a “bed” made up mostly of straw, as Christ slept in a manger; add to this that the Thenardiers run an inn, in which Cosette is provided no room, [though not because there is none].  On Christmas Eve, Mme. Thenardier also tells her husband that the next day, she will force Cosette to sleep outside (presumably in the stables/with the animals).

Valjean and Cosette also flee Thenardier from Montfermeil to Paris in what, upon further reflection, is probably an allusion to the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt.

Less-obviously, but still related to this scene, Fantine is—despite the degradation, desperation, and poverty of her final months of life—described as being pure (or as pure as she can be) and modest, and is a symbol of idealized motherhood. She may not be a virgin, but she’s clearly an “Ave” figure to whom connections with the Mother of God can be drawn. Moreover, though she was almost certainly born before Tholomeyes abandoned Fantine, Hugo almost makes it seem as if Cosette is fatherless from the first.

So yes, we can—and are probably meant to—say, “Aww, Christmas!” and get warm and fuzzies from Valjean’s adopting Cosette that day. But I think it’s really fascinating to dig a little deeper and see the significance of Christmas in the story.