Figure Profile— Marius, Cosette and Éponine

        Today I’m going to talk about some secondary characters— Marius, Cosette and

Éponine, whose sad but beautiful love story is well known and reduces many audiences to tears.

        Cosette, Fantine’s illegitimate child, after being adopted, she is sent to a convent school and leads a regular but blissful life with her career planned already by Jean Valjean. In the beginning, Cosette sticks to her orderly life pattern and spends her time as much as possible in companion with Jean Valjean. But one day she encounters Marius by chance, and the couple fall in love at first sight; Jean Valjean comes to know that later and feels anxious, since that something is gradually out of control, and he can envision that some day his child will leave him. However, after a long term of meditation, Jean Valjean finally lets go and approves of their love.

        Marius is a descendant of a wealthy but monarchist family. However, Marius is a passionate young man possessing lofty ideal and liberal views. Hence, he’s in total disagreement with his conservative grandfather and thus being alienated from his family. Despite that, he joins a student party, which is conspiring against a government and preparing for a revolution. However, just few days before they launch their scheme, Marius meets Cosette and feels his soul longs for her; Marius is bogged down to a dilemma and finally decides to fight with his brothers.

        Éponine is the daughter of the Thénardiers, and a secret admirer of Marius. After losing their inn, the Thénardiers sinks into dire straits and makes a living by fraud and begging, but Éponine is quite simple-minded and heart-kinded. Though being envious of Cosette, she frequently saves her family from the Thénardiers wicked intrigues. After the revolution breaks out, she resolutely joins the crusade in order to follow as well as accompany her crush. Finally, to protect Marius, she is shot by a gun; being at her last gasp, she confessed her love and, before Marius can response more, she dies in peace and satisfaction.