I don't understand why people view Cosette with such dislike and raise Eponine on a pedestal. I mentioned this in my movie review, but now I'm going to go a little deeper with it. I have never really liked Eponine at all and to those who say that she is the true heroine of the story, well then you clearly haven't understood the story. Fantine is the true heroine. A single mother who gave her life for her precious daughter is far greater than a lovesick girl getting shot for a man who doesn't love her at all or at least not romantic love. It's clear that Marius cared about her, but it wasn't the love that Eponine wanted. He loved Cosette, end of story.
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In Defense of Cosette
Amanda Seyfried as Cosette in Les Miserables
I always saw Cosette as the Cinderella of the story and isn't that what
people love? A poor girl from obscure beginnings who is rescued by a
kind man and raised in his love. Why do people see her as a clueless
airhead? They condemn her for being silly and ridiculous for falling in
love with a man she only saw once, but didn't Marius do the same thing?
How come Marius isn't ridiculed and called an airhead for the same
reason?
Cosette has lived a sheltered life in a convent with her father for
nine years, so she hasn't really grown up around men at all. She has
been raised to be innocent, generous and kind. Yet, she probably hasn't
forgotten her abused former life and the Thenadiers, so she isn't that
clueless about the outside world. Then comes the first glance of love from the first man who
seems to notice her and she is curious, amazed and even a little scared.
Give her a break, I think we've all been there.
Quit punishing Cosette for being kind and generous. Stop going on about how she has no real importance in the story She plays a very distinct part in Les Miserables. It was because of her that her mother gave her life, it was because of her that Valjean could live the life he always dreamed of, it was because of her that Marius finally saw love in a concrete form and not as an abstract illusion.
In a world that was dominated by darkness, terror and fear, Cosette stood out with a gentle, but strong light to those who needed it. Her mother, her father, and her lover.
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The Reality of Eponine
Even as a little girl and watching the musical, I found Eponine
incredibly annoying. All she seemed to do was whine and moan about a man
who didn't notice her. I didn't understand her role in the musical at
all and even now, I'm annoyed by her. They're at the brink of a
revolution and she's crying about how alone she is. Dry up Scarlett.
Now, I'm not going to be entirely cruel. There are many honorable
aspects to Eponine. She was courageous, she helped Marius find Cosette
as well as take a bullet for him. There is a general charm and kindness
about Eponine and that's how a lot of people see her, but they don't
have to slander Cosette just because she got the guy and the poor girl
didn't.
Also, Eponine is is completely destitute, she has no home and no money and is also (in the eyes of Javert and the Parisian government) a menace to society, because she helps her father with his plots. She knew full well that Marius couldn't conceive the thought of taking her because of those qualities. Unfair as they may, they are what make Eponine who she is. She didn't join the barricades because she believed in a better world, she was there to be with Marius and nothing more or less than that.
We all live, we all love, and eventually we
all die with love, without love, or fighting for love. That's what Eponine did, she died
for love. She died so Marius could live and love Cosette.
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