Throughout time, the representation of Woman has varied in art and in literature. In literature, their representation is interpreted by the reader and modernized to fit their time, culture, and personal beliefs, but must follow the rules laid out by the author within the text. Their interpretation by the reader is a dual process, first on the literal level, and secondly on the symbolic level, creating an interpretation that becomes much more profound than simple metaphor. This is called allegory. Outside of literature, physical representations of an abstract force, such as Liberty, Justice, or Faith, create allegories appearing in paintings and sculptures. In his masterpiece Les Miserables, Victor Hugo creates four main female characters: Fantine, Cosette, Madame Thenardier, and Eponine. Fantine, by the end of the text, transcends out of the text, overcoming her own textual confinement, and becomes purely allegorical. This study links literary and physical allegory, examines history and the ramifications of the writing of women leading up to and after the French Revolution, all leading up to how, why, and to what extent Victor Hugo creates his allegory. The allegorization of Fantine is proven through intertextuality and interdisciplinary elements that cannot be mere coincidence.
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