Volume I: Fantine
A beautiful young woman abandoned by her lover Tholomyès; she leaves her daughter Cosette with the Thénardiers and descends into poverty and prostitution to pay for her child's keep.
Volume I: Fantine
Introduced as a beautiful young woman who falls in love with Tholomyès and is later abandoned, leading to her tragic descent.
VI: Jean Valjean
Not directly present, but the chapter's focus on poverty and sacrifice foreshadows her later story; no direct mention.
In the Year 1817
Introduced as one of the four young women, Fantine is described as innocent and beautiful, unaware of the impending tragedy of her abandonment.
In the Year 1817
A beautiful and innocent young woman, deeply in love with Tholomyès, unaware of his impending abandonment.
A Double Quartette
Introduced as a beautiful blonde, pure and faithful in her love for Tholomyès; she is the only one of the four women not addressed informally by her lover.
A Double Quartette
A beautiful, good-hearted blonde who loves Tholomyès faithfully. She is innocent and naive compared to the other women, and her background is one of poverty and obscurity.
Four and Four
Described as a joy to behold, with a blend of innocence and modesty, she is the central figure of the outing, embodying both beauty and chastity.
Four and Four
Described as a joy to behold, with splendid teeth, thick blond hair, rosy lips, and a harmonious dress. She is beautiful, modest, and innocent, with a virginal dignity and a mysterious gravity that contrasts with her usual gayety.
Tholomyès Is So Merry That He Sings a Spanish Ditty
Refuses to swing, described as dreamy and wild, and is in love.
Tholomyès Is So Merry That He Sings a Spanish Ditty
Hedged about with dreaminess and wildness, refuses to swing, and is in love.
VI: A Chapter in Which They Adore Each Other
Smiling during the dinner scene.
VII: The Wisdom of Tholomyès
Mentioned as a dreamy, pensive grisette who sings and prays, with Tholomyès praising her freshness and innocence.
VII: The Wisdom of Tholomyès
Praised by Tholomyès as a dreamer and a nymph-like figure, though she is largely silent during the speech.
VIII: The Death of a Horse
Expresses pity for the fallen horse, showing her compassionate nature.
The Death of a Horse
Expresses pity for the fallen horse, showing her compassionate nature.
IX: A Merry End to Mirth
Abandoned by Tholomyès, she laughs with the others but later weeps alone, realizing she is pregnant.
IX: A Merry End to Mirth
Fantine laughs with the others at the letter but later weeps alone; she has given herself to Tholomyès as to a husband and is now pregnant.
I: One Mother Meets Another Mother
Desperate and impoverished, Fantine leaves Paris with her child Cosette, hoping to find work in her hometown.
I: One Mother Meets Another Mother
Desperate single mother who leaves Paris with her child Cosette, seeking work and a better life.
III: The Lark
Sends money irregularly from Montreuil-sur-Mer; unaware of Cosette's true condition; deceived by the Thénardiers.
III: The Lark
Cosette's mother, still in Montreuil-sur-Mer, sends monthly payments for Cosette's care but is deceived by the Thénardiers into believing her child is happy.
Book V: The Descent
Fantine's tragic descent as she sells her hair, teeth, and becomes a prostitute to pay the Thénardiers for Cosette's care.
Book V: The Descent
Fantine is dismissed from her job and descends into poverty and prostitution.
The History of a Progress in Black Glass Trinkets
Fantine has returned to Montreuil-sur-Mer after leaving Cosette with the Thénardiers, unaware of the town's transformation.
I: The History of a Progress in Black Glass Trinkets
Returned to Montreuil-sur-Mer after leaving Cosette with the Thénardiers; the town has prospered in her absence.
Fauchelevent Becomes a Gardener in Paris
Returns to Montreuil-sur-Mer, finds work in Madeleine's factory, and earns enough to support herself despite being unskilled.
Fauchelevent Becomes a Gardener in Paris
Returns to Montreuil-sur-Mer and is admitted to work in Madeleine's factory, earning enough to support herself.
Madame Victurnien Expends Thirty Francs on Morality
Fantine is working honestly, writing letters to the Thénardiers about Cosette, and is ultimately fired after her secret is exposed.
Madame Victurnien Expends Thirty Francs on Morality
Fantine is working and supporting her child, but her secret is discovered, leading to her dismissal.
Madame Victurnien's Success
Fantine is dismissed from the factory and descends into extreme poverty, working for twelve sous a day and struggling to support herself and her daughter.
Madame Victurnien’s Success
Dismissed from the factory, she descends into extreme poverty, working for twelve sous a day and learning to live on nothing. She endures public shame and a growing cough.
X: Result of the Success
Fantine sells her hair and teeth to pay the Thénardiers, descends into poverty and prostitution, and grows to hate Father Madeleine.
Christus Nos Liberavit
Fantine is now a prostitute, reduced to a state of marble-like resignation after suffering all forms of loss and degradation.
X: Result of the Success
Fantine sells her hair and teeth to pay the Thénardiers, descends into prostitution, and grows ill and bitter.
XI: Christus Nos Liberavit
Fantine is now reduced to prostitution, having lost all former identity; she is described as marble in mire, resigned and indifferent, yet still subject to further suffering.
M. Bamatabois’s Inactivity
The woman tormented by Bamatabois; she attacks him in rage and is then seized by Javert.
M. Bamatabois’s Inactivity
The woman being tormented; she attacks Bamatabois after he thrusts snow down her back.
XIII: The Solution of Some Questions Connected with the Municipal Police
Arrested for assaulting a citizen; pleads for mercy for the sake of her daughter Cosette.
The Solution of Some Questions Connected with the Municipal Police
Pleads for mercy, explaining her need to support Cosette, and is ultimately released by Madeleine.
The Beginning of Repose
Lying ill in the infirmary, she longs for Cosette and speaks of her past sins and hope for pardon.
The Beginning of Repose
Lying ill in the infirmary, she speaks of her sin and hope for Cosette's arrival, believing it will bring God's pardon.
Sister Simplice
Awaits M. Madeleine's visit daily; asks about Cosette and is feverish.
Sister Simplice
Lies ill in the infirmary, feverish, and eagerly awaits M. Madeleine's visits; asks about Cosette.
Sister Simplice Put to the Proof
Fantine is gravely ill but experiences a temporary uplift in spirits, believing that M. Madeleine has gone to fetch Cosette. She speaks joyfully of the reunion, sings a lullaby, and shows signs of hope, though her physical condition remains critical.
Sister Simplice Put to the Proof
Fantine is consumed by hope that M. Madeleine will return with Cosette, leading to a temporary improvement in her health, but she descends into despair as he fails to appear.
An Entrance by Favor
Thought of by Valjean as he reads the letter, reflecting on her and Cosette.
In What Mirror M. Madeleine Contemplates His Hair
Sleeps peacefully after a feverish night, then wakes and asks for Cosette.
In What Mirror M. Madeleine Contemplates His Hair
Suffering from a feverish night, she sleeps peacefully but is near death, asking for Cosette upon waking.
Fantine Happy
Fantine is overjoyed at the prospect of seeing Cosette, speaking with passionate hope and maternal love, but her fragile state is evident as she struggles with fever and coughing.
Fantine Happy
Fantine is overjoyed at the prospect of seeing Cosette, speaking of her hopes and plans for their future together, but her mood turns to terror upon seeing Javert.
Javert Satisfied
Lying in the infirmary; sees Javert enter and turns to Valjean.
IV: Authority Reasserts Its Rights
Dies from shock upon learning Valjean's true identity.
Javert Satisfied
Lying in the infirmary, she sees Javert enter and is present during the confrontation.
V: A Suitable Tomb
Is buried in a pauper's grave after her death.
Authority Reasserts Its Rights
Dies of shock upon learning Jean Valjean's true identity and Javert's accusations.
Volume II: Cosette
Cosette's deceased mother, whose dying wish was for Valjean to care for her daughter.
A Suitable Tomb
Dies and is buried in a pauper's grave, her funeral reduced to the bare minimum.
Number 24,601 Becomes Number 9,430
Mentioned as the woman of the town who died of shock at the moment of Valjean's arrest.
Number 24,601 Becomes Number 9,430
Mentioned as the woman of the town who died of shock at the moment of Valjean's arrest.
Accomplishment of the Promise Made to the Dead Woman
Her dying wish is honored as Valjean brings Cosette to her grave.
X: He Who Seeks to Better Himself May Render His Situation Worse
Her signed letter is used by Valjean to prove his right to take Cosette.
X: He Who Seeks to Better Himself May Render His Situation Worse
Her signed letter from March 25, 1823, is used by Valjean to prove his right to take Cosette, underscoring her posthumous role in Cosette's rescue.
III: Two Misfortunes Make One Piece of Good Fortune
Mentioned as Cosette's mother; Valjean talks of her and makes Cosette pray for her.
X: Which Explains How Javert Got on the Scent
Fantine is referenced as Cosette's mother, whose deathbed scene involved Javert's arrest of Jean Valjean.
X: Which Explains How Javert Got on the Scent
Fantine is referenced as Cosette's deceased mother. Her name and connection to Jean Valjean are crucial in Javert's deduction that the fugitive is seeking her child.
Book V: The Excellence of Misfortune
Her suffering and dying wish serve as a catalyst for Valjean's actions and the chapter's emotional core.
Change of Gate
Cosette's mother, whose name Jean Valjean cannot utter; her memory is a sacred shadow in their lives.
Change of Gate
Referenced indirectly; Jean Valjean cannot bring himself to speak her name to Cosette, covering her in darkness and silence.
Book V: The End of Which Does Not Resemble the Beginning
Though not directly present, her plight and Valjean's compassion for her are referenced as part of his moral transformation.
The End of Which Does Not Resemble the Beginning
Her suffering reaches a critical point, highlighting the brutal effects of poverty and social neglect.
Book III: Mud but the Soul
Her descent into poverty and despair is highlighted, showcasing the brutal impact of social injustice.
Book III: Mud but the Soul
Fantine's descent into poverty continues as she sacrifices everything for Cosette.
Book VII: The Last Draught from the Cup
Her suffering and dying wish continue to influence Valjean's decisions.
