After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their child, Cosette, on her own. Originally a beautiful and naive girl, Fantine is eventually forced by circumstances to become a prostitute to support her daughter, losing her beauty and health until she finally dies of tuberculosis.

Why did they take Fantine's teeth?

In the acclaimed musical and novel Les Miserables, an unmarried woman named Fantine struggles to support her daughter in 19th century France. Fantine resorts to selling her possessions, her hair, her teeth, and eventually herself in order to send more and more money to the family caring for Cosette.

What are the factors leading to Fantine's decline?

What are the factors leading to Fantine's decline? Fantine's misfortunes are rooted in her naïveté and a poor education, which in many ways stem from the social imbalances of nineteenth-century French society.

What does tuberculosis symbolize in Fantine?

In the book, tuberculosis represents death and hopelessness. It is the illness that ultimately claims Fantine's life, and it is the illness that many of the other characters in the book are dealing with. Since tuberculosis is often associated with poverty, the story uses it to emphasise the characters' need and misery.

Was Cosette actually sick?

She didn't know that Cosette wasn't really sick. It was all a trick for the Thenardiers to get more money from her. Fantine coughed while she sewed the soldiers' shirts. She was coughing when she read Monsieur Thenardier's next letter.

Ruthie Henshall - Come To Me/Fantine's Death (Les Miserables 10th Anniversary Concert)

What illness does Fantine have?

After he abandons her, she is forced to look after their child, Cosette, on her own. Originally a beautiful and naive girl, Fantine is eventually forced by circumstances to become a prostitute to support her daughter, losing her beauty and health until she finally dies of tuberculosis.

What was Fantine sick with?

Fantine died of consumption, but that is the same disease we today call tuberculosis. The film you are referring to, and also the musical, are all based on the classic novel written by Victor Hugo. In that novel, it is clear that Fantine dies of the disease known at that time as “consumption.”

Is Fantine based on a real person?

This is a lot easier to get away with on stage. Melodramatic though it may be, Fantine's story is apparently based on a real event. In 1841, Hugo himself saved a woman falsely accused. The story is described in his Things Seen (1887).

Why did Victorians romanticize tuberculosis?

Another nickname was “the white plague” because of how pale people would become. And yet, its final nickname was “the romantic disease.” People became enamored with the physical effects of contracting the illness. Pale skin, thin waists, and flushed lips and cheeks from long-term fevers were seen as quite desirable.

Does consumption disease still exist?

It seemed no one was safe from tuberculosis. It's no wonder that it played such a large role in literature, art and opera. Now, tuberculosis is largely controlled in the United States (although still an issue worldwide).

Who suffers the most in Les Miserables?

Emma Oliveros The most miserable or tragic character in Les Miserables for me is Eponine. As soon as I read about her, my heart really felt sad about her. Like she was an innocent, poor one. I honestly forgot she was once evil to Cosette.

Who is Fantine's illegitimate daughter?

Euphrasie, nicknamed Cosette by her mother, is the illegitimate daughter of Fantine and Félix Tholomyès, a rich student.

Who revealed Fantine's secret?

After Fantine is abandoned by her aristocratic lover, Tholomyès, her reputation is indelibly soiled by the fact that she has an illegitimate child. Her efforts to hide this fact are ruined by her lack of education—the scribe to whom Fantine dictates her letters reveals her secret to the whole town.

What does Fantine symbolize?

Answer and Explanation: Fantine represents the downtrodden of France. Her story shows how through no fault of her own, she experiences a series of misfortunes that eventually kill her.

Who is Cosette's biological father?

Félix Tholomyès – Fantine's lover and Cosette's biological father. A wealthy, self-centered student in Paris originally from Toulouse, he eventually abandons Fantine when their daughter is two years old.

Was Jean Valjean in love with Cosette?

Poor old Jean Valjean, of course, loved Cosette only as a father; but, as we noted earlier, into this fatherly love his lonely single status in life had introduced every other kind of love; he loved Cosette as his daughter, and he loved her as his mother, and he loved her as his sister; and, as he had never had either ...

How fatal was tuberculosis in the 1800s?

In the 18th and 19th century, tuberculosis (TB) had become epidemic in Europe, showing a seasonal pattern. In the 18th century, TB had a mortality rate as high as 900 deaths (800–1000) per 100,000 population per year in Western Europe, including in places like London, Stockholm and Hamburg.

Which poets died of consumption?

Writers and poets

Anne and Emily Brontë and other members of the Brontë family of writers, poets and painters were struck by tuberculosis. Anne, their brother Branwell, and Emily all died of it within two years of each other.

Could you survive tuberculosis in the 1800s?

During the 19th century, there were no reliable treatments for tuberculosis. Some physicians prescribed bleedings and purgings (with emetics or enemas). Most often, however, doctors could only advise their patients to rest, eat well, and exercise outdoors. Very few recovered.

How much weight did Anne Hathaway lose for Fantine?

Anne Hathaway lost 25 pounds for her role of Fantine in the upcoming movie adaptation of Les Miserables. The actress says she became obsessed with losing the weight, which involved eating very small amounts of food.

What is the moral lesson of Les Misérables?

Moral values in the novel “Les Miserables” are love and sincerity, forgiveness, Sacrifice, Justice/Injustice. Fantine earned less and less money from her sewing, and the Thenardiers demanded more and more money to look after Cosette.

How historically accurate is Les Misérables?

The historic events are real (like Waterloo, the revolution,…) The characters, however probably not real. There may be some real people that inspired Hugo to come up with a character in his novel. But in order to express his view, most novelists adapt the characters, idealize them, or evilize them.

Did Fantine have tuberculosis?

Answer and Explanation: Fantine died of consumption, which is what is now known as tuberculosis.

Does Fantine love Cosette?

Fantine was a kind and loving mother who deeply cared for Cosette, having worked extremely hard for several years just to scrape up enough money to be able to live with her. Her former boss at the black glass factory said that her coworkers described her as "cold", due to her secrecy about having an illegitimate child.