Éponines

Éponines refers to a group of characters from Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. While the term is not explicitly used in the novel to designate a specific category, it is often used by scholars and readers to refer to the female figures who are either directly or indirectly connected to the Thénardier family and represent a darker, more marginalized side of Parisian society. The most prominent Éponine is the eldest daughter of Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, who grows up in poverty and hardship. She is characterized by her unrequited love for Marius Pontmercy and her eventual sacrifice for him. Other characters who might be considered Éponines in a broader sense are her younger sister, Azelma, and potentially other impoverished young women encountered by the protagonists. These characters often serve as a foil to the more virtuous female characters like Fantine and Cosette, highlighting the pervasive social injustices and the corrupting influence of poverty and desperation. Their stories underscore the novel's exploration of themes such as class struggle, fate, and the consequences of societal neglect.