It seemed to be a necessary ritual that he should prepare himself for sleep by meditating under the solemnity of the night sky... a mysterious transaction between the infinity of the soul and the infinity of the universe.
Victor HugoRead
We say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true. Slavery still exists, but now it applies only to women and its name is prostitution.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that while traditional slavery has ended, a form of exploitation persists, particularly affecting women through prostitution.
Victor Hugo's quote draws attention to the ongoing issues of exploitation and the commodification of women's bodies in modern society. He argues that although overt forms of slavery have been abolished, women continue to face a form of slavery that manifests in prostitution, highlighting the need for societal awareness and change regarding women's rights and dignity.
Themes
SlaveryProstitutionWomenExploitationSocietyRights
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for women's rights, this quote can highlight the exploitation still present in society.
More from Victor Hugo
All quotes βWhen two mouths, made sacred by love, draw near to each other to create, it is impossible, that above that ineffable kiss there should not be a thrill in the immense mystery of the stars.
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At that moment of love, a moment when passion is absolutely silent under omnipotence of ecstasy, Marius, pure seraphic Marius, would have been more capable of visiting a woman of the streets than of raising Cosetteβs dress above the ankle. Once on a moonlit night, Cosette stopped to pick up something from the ground, her dress loosened and revealed the swelling of her breasts. Marius averted his eyes.
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Thought is the work of the intellect, reverie is its self-indulgence. To substitute day-dreaming for thought is to confuse a poison with a source of nourishment.
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Taste is the common sense of genius.
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Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.... Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!
Victor HugoRead
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