Victor
Hugo, among other artists of the time, observed and wrote about
what was happening to this quickly evolving "dangerous"class
of women with a sympathetic view. Through the creation of Fantine
in Les Misérables, we are shown that there is nothing
to fear:
" She was young,-and pretty? Her hair, one blonde mesh of
which had fallen seemed very thick, but it was severely fastened
up beneath an ugly, close, narrow nun's head-dress, tied under
the chin. Laughing shows fine teeth when one has them but she
did not laugh."
This description of a once virtuous woman turned "dangerous"
evokes sympathy for Fantine. Hugo tries to illustrate that when
there is poverty of the people, there is also poverty in thier
minds. Whether they are keeping themselves or others from starving,
the bourgeoisie (esp. the upper class) thought of them all the
same way.
Statistics gathered at the actual time when prostitution was at its included percentages on why women turned to prostitution. Interestingly enough, there was a considerable percentage of women who found themselves in the same situation as Fantine: left by their student lovers.
