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Literary
Representations
Hugo
Balzac
Lorettes and society
Lower
Class Prostitutes and the Law
Representations in Les Miserables
Realities of Authority in Paris
Brothels and Streetwalkers
The Privileged Class: Courtesans
Defining the courtesan
Visual representations
Courtesans in reality
Bibliogrpahy
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Victor
Marie Hugo (1802-1885), was a French poet, novelist, and
playwright. One of his very famous works is the novel
Les Miserables in which he portrays the life of the less
fortunate. One of the characters in this book is Fantine,
the mother of Cossette, who, in order to support herself
and her daughter turns to the only mode of bringing in
greater sums of money for women at the time, prostitution.(
for more on Hugo's litererary depictions click
here) As one reads Hugo's biography it is possible
to see that perhaps such characters did not grow fully
from his imagination. Victor Hugo had a large sexual appetite
and he satiated it throughout his life with many different
women.
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Victor
Hugo
1. for source click
here
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 Adele
Foucher (Bulloz; Maison de Victor Hugo) 2.
for source click
here
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- The
Romantic life of Hugo began when as a teenager; he
fell in love with a neighbor's daughter, Adele Foucher.
His mother discouraged the romance, believing that
her son should marry into a finer family but after
his mother's death he did marry Adele. Together they
had five children and it seemed as though the stage
for their life was set. What more could a couple ask
for, a happy marriage and many children? Apparently
this couple wanted more because they were both guilty
of infidelity.
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A
name that is mentioned in almost every biography of Hugo is
Juliette Drouet. Around 1831 Hugo's wife, Adele Hugo became
romantically involved with a well-known critic and good friend
of Victor's named Sainte-Beuve. It was around this time that
Victor became involved with the actress Juliette Drouet, who
soon became his mistress. Supported by a small pension from
Hugo, Drouet became his unpaid secretary and traveling companion
for the next fifty years. She is mentioned often in the biography
of Victor Hugo and their letters, which have been recorded,
are graphic and passionate. Though Hugo would stray in the future
he returned to Juliette many times. In every piece on Hugo's
life Juliette is mentioned but she was certainly not the only
lover that he had.
Juliette
Drouet in 1832 (Bulloz; Musee Carnavalet) 3.
for source click here
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Leonie
Biard is a woman who is not so often mentioned even though her
exploits with the famous writer eventually landed her in prison
for adultery. Although both Hugo and Briard were married they
began to see eachother. Their encounters did not remain private
for very long however because On July fourth Hugo and Biard
were found "in criminal conversation and in uncrumpled attire
meaning that they were comitting adultery and were wearing no
clothes. While his lover went to jail Hugo left the station
a free man because he was pair de France and was thus immune
to prosecution" (4. for source
click here). When she heard the news Mme Hugo was
pleased that Juliette had a rival took up Leonie's case.
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Victor
Hugo's biography contains much more along these lines with enough
sexual exploits to rival any novel. Though some might frown
upon his many lovers others, like Graham who wrote one biography,
empathized with him and seemed to think that his lusty love
life simply helped to fuel his art.
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"Sex
for him was a form of contemplation" he found his outlet for
contemplation in the many affairs that he had with actresses,
wives and courtesans. To him "fallen women and courtesans were
a pleasant antidote to the hypocrisy of high society." He
was quoted for saying "They have as much heart soul and spirit
as society women but are frank where society women are prudish."
(4. for source
click here)
In the case
of Victor Hugo I think it is safe to say that he did not have
contempt for prostitution. In fact I would go so far as to say
that not only did he patronize many courtesans and prostitutes
but he empathized with them and their plight.
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