Hugo compares Gillenormand with the whole of eighteenth century- Gillenormand is a relic, who does not belong in the nineteenth century. I wonder if this might also be a nod to Enlightenment philosophy and how some of the leaders of that movement such as Voltaire were not fond of democracy or of revolutions by mob, as well as Voltaire’s support of absolute monarchies (Source- Voltaire: Political Writings). Gillenormand seems to embody some of the Voltairian ideas, in my view.
But these ideas are not relevant in the nineteenth century, according to Hugo where the grandiose gestures and grand men (like the monarchs that Gillenormand continues to admire) are a relic of the past. Gillenormand is irrelevant in this century, but he seems to have a high opinion of himself regardless. He has withdrawn from society (everything he does is concerned with himself only, he cannot even concern himself with the politics of the Bourbons he supposedly admires) and only entertains in the evenings. He shuns the symbolic light, as others have also mentioned, and finds the day vulgar in which to work, but also, he has the privilege to be able to not have to work or do anything in the day unlike Fantine or other characters who have to work by daylight because they cannot afford the lamps or lights at night.
I like the two sisters, I wish that Hugo was not putting them against each other to make one of them look good. Mademoiselle Gillenormand lives under her father’s terror and it is no surprise that she is described as prudish and ‘bigot’- which here I believe to mean that she is sanctimonious and appears more religious than she is, instead of the modern definition.
Hugo is making fun of her prudery, though really, having been raised by, beaten by and living her whole life in the Gillenormand hosehold, how was she supposed to be otherwise? Gillenormand being who he is, would probably not have tolerated her bringing scandal to the house by having affairs, whereas it is okay for him to have countless mistresses.
I feel sorry for her, having been described as ‘a life that was over without having begun.’ It’s also interesting that no one calls her by her real name, she doesn’t have an identity here, this highlights even more of her terrible living situation, despite the wealth she lives in, she is still deprived of love.
I do like that Mademoiselle Gillenormand has a friend with whom she can make jams, even though Hugo makes fun of the friend herself (making different kinds of jams takes skill, Hugo).
It is interesting that Hugo has compared this household to Bishop Myriel’s as well, there must be something in there being three members in the Myriel household and three people in the Gillenormand household, even if the households are nothing alike.
We finally come to the mention of the grandson and Gillenormand shows his love for Marius by threatening him with a cane and making sure that Marius absolutely trembles and remains silent in his presence. Gillenormand does not understand that instilling fear in the child is not equal to the child respecting him. This highlights even more how much difficulty Gillenormand has in relating/thinking from other people’s perspectives, he doesn’t understand children and probably would not want to make an effort to understand them. I do feel sorry for baby Marius here having to grow up in such a household and a lot of his later motivations make sense because of his childhood.
