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Definition of Motif
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the... read full definition
A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of... read full definition
Volume 1, Book 7: The Champmathieu Affair
Explanation and Analysis—Pseudonyms :
In Volume 1, Book 7, Chapter 3, the novel reveals—to no surprise—that Monsieur Madeleine is Jean Valjean, illustrating the story's use of pseudonyms as a motif:
The reader has, no doubt, already divined that M. Madeleine is no other than Jean Valjean. […] We have but little to add to what the reader already knows of what had happened to Jean Valjean after the adventure with Little Gervais. From that moment forth he was, as we have seen, a totally different man.
To escape his convicted past and redeem his soul, Jean Valjean operates under the pseudonym Monsieur Madeleine. With his brilliant innovations and generosity, he becomes the mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer, a sharply different man than the one he once was.
In Volume 3, Book 8, Chapter 20, Jondrette reveals himself to Monsieur Leblanc—or so Marius calls Jean Valjean—as Thenardier, the innkeeper who kept Cosette as a mistreated servant:
In this posture of a wild beast who is about to bite, he exclaimed, “My name is not Fabantou, my name is not Jondrette, my name is Thénardier. I am the innkeeper of Montfermeil! Do you understand? Thénardier! Now do you know me?”
The Thenardiers are notorious for their deception, so it is no surprise that they are hiding in Paris under pseudonyms. They profit from their trickery, taking advantage of generous people like Jean Valjean.
In Volume 5, Book 5, Chapter 4, Jean Valjean reveals that Cosette's legal name is Euphrasie Fauchevelant:
At this point they heard a grave and tranquil voice say, “Mademoiselle Euphrasie Fauchelevent possesses six hundred thousand francs.”
[…] “What has Mademoiselle Euphrasie to do with the question?” inquired the startled grandfather.
“I am she,” replied Cosette.
Euphrasie is the name that Fantine first gave to Cosette, while the surname Fauchevelant helps to conceal Cosette's less-than-desirable origins.
These passages demonstrate the novel's prominent motif of pseudonyms, which the characters use frequently to obscure their true identities. In a world of crime and reputation, it becomes necessary for characters such as Jean Valjean and Thenardier to assume new identities with clean slates.
Jean Valjean even creates a new identity for Cosette so that she may have money to her name and not be considered a bastard child. With his new identity, Jean Valjean genuinely tries to become a new man and start over with his life in Montreuil-sur-mer. He succeeds so much that Javert does not even recognize him. On the other hand, the Thenardiers simply change identities on a whim in order to trick and manipulate the vulnerable.
Volume 3, Book 8: The Wicked Poor Man
Explanation and Analysis—Pseudonyms :
Covered in "Volume 1, Book 7: The Champmathieu Affair Explanation and Analysis—Pseudonyms "
In Volume 1, Book 7, Chapter 3, the novel reveals—to no surprise—that Monsieur Madeleine is Jean Valjean, illustrating the story's use of pseudonyms as a motif:
The reader has, no doubt, already divined that M. Madeleine is no other than Jean Valjean. […] We have but little to add to what the reader already knows of what had happened to Jean Valjean after the adventure with Little Gervais. From that moment forth he was, as we have seen, a totally different man.
To escape his convicted past and redeem his soul, Jean Valjean operates under the pseudonym Monsieur Madeleine. With his brilliant innovations and generosity, he becomes the mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer, a sharply different man than the one he once was.
In Volume 3, Book 8, Chapter 20, Jondrette reveals himself to Monsieur Leblanc—or so Marius calls Jean Valjean—as Thenardier, the innkeeper who kept Cosette as a mistreated servant:
In this posture of a wild beast who is about to bite, he exclaimed, “My name is not Fabantou, my name is not Jondrette, my name is Thénardier. I am the innkeeper of Montfermeil! Do you understand? Thénardier! Now do you know me?”
The Thenardiers are notorious for their deception, so it is no surprise that they are hiding in Paris under pseudonyms. They profit from their trickery, taking advantage of generous people like Jean Valjean.
In Volume 5, Book 5, Chapter 4, Jean Valjean reveals that Cosette's legal name is Euphrasie Fauchevelant:
At this point they heard a grave and tranquil voice say, “Mademoiselle Euphrasie Fauchelevent possesses six hundred thousand francs.”
[…] “What has Mademoiselle Euphrasie to do with the question?” inquired the startled grandfather.
“I am she,” replied Cosette.
Euphrasie is the name that Fantine first gave to Cosette, while the surname Fauchevelant helps to conceal Cosette's less-than-desirable origins.
These passages demonstrate the novel's prominent motif of pseudonyms, which the characters use frequently to obscure their true identities. In a world of crime and reputation, it becomes necessary for characters such as Jean Valjean and Thenardier to assume new identities with clean slates.
Jean Valjean even creates a new identity for Cosette so that she may have money to her name and not be considered a bastard child. With his new identity, Jean Valjean genuinely tries to become a new man and start over with his life in Montreuil-sur-mer. He succeeds so much that Javert does not even recognize him. On the other hand, the Thenardiers simply change identities on a whim in order to trick and manipulate the vulnerable.
Volume 5, Book 5: Grandson and Grandfather
Explanation and Analysis—Pseudonyms :
Covered in "Volume 1, Book 7: The Champmathieu Affair Explanation and Analysis—Pseudonyms "
In Volume 1, Book 7, Chapter 3, the novel reveals—to no surprise—that Monsieur Madeleine is Jean Valjean, illustrating the story's use of pseudonyms as a motif:
The reader has, no doubt, already divined that M. Madeleine is no other than Jean Valjean. […] We have but little to add to what the reader already knows of what had happened to Jean Valjean after the adventure with Little Gervais. From that moment forth he was, as we have seen, a totally different man.
To escape his convicted past and redeem his soul, Jean Valjean operates under the pseudonym Monsieur Madeleine. With his brilliant innovations and generosity, he becomes the mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer, a sharply different man than the one he once was.
In Volume 3, Book 8, Chapter 20, Jondrette reveals himself to Monsieur Leblanc—or so Marius calls Jean Valjean—as Thenardier, the innkeeper who kept Cosette as a mistreated servant:
In this posture of a wild beast who is about to bite, he exclaimed, “My name is not Fabantou, my name is not Jondrette, my name is Thénardier. I am the innkeeper of Montfermeil! Do you understand? Thénardier! Now do you know me?”
The Thenardiers are notorious for their deception, so it is no surprise that they are hiding in Paris under pseudonyms. They profit from their trickery, taking advantage of generous people like Jean Valjean.
In Volume 5, Book 5, Chapter 4, Jean Valjean reveals that Cosette's legal name is Euphrasie Fauchevelant:
At this point they heard a grave and tranquil voice say, “Mademoiselle Euphrasie Fauchelevent possesses six hundred thousand francs.”
[…] “What has Mademoiselle Euphrasie to do with the question?” inquired the startled grandfather.
“I am she,” replied Cosette.
Euphrasie is the name that Fantine first gave to Cosette, while the surname Fauchevelant helps to conceal Cosette's less-than-desirable origins.
These passages demonstrate the novel's prominent motif of pseudonyms, which the characters use frequently to obscure their true identities. In a world of crime and reputation, it becomes necessary for characters such as Jean Valjean and Thenardier to assume new identities with clean slates.
Jean Valjean even creates a new identity for Cosette so that she may have money to her name and not be considered a bastard child. With his new identity, Jean Valjean genuinely tries to become a new man and start over with his life in Montreuil-sur-mer. He succeeds so much that Javert does not even recognize him. On the other hand, the Thenardiers simply change identities on a whim in order to trick and manipulate the vulnerable.
