2. II.
When a man commits a crime society claps him
in prison. A prison is one of the worst hotels imaginable.
The people there are low and vulgar. The
butter is bad, the coffee is green. Ah, it is horrible!
In prison, as in a bad hotel, a man soon loses, not
only his morals, but what is much worse to a Frenchman,
his sense of refinement and delicacy.
Jean Valjean came from prison with confused notions
of society. He forgot the modern peculiarities
of hospitality. So he walked off with the Bishop's
candlesticks.
Let us consider: candlesticks were stolen; that was
evident. Society put Jean Valjean in prison; that
was evident, too. In prison, Society took away his
refinement; that is evident, likewise.
Who is Society?
You and I are Society.
My friend, you and I stole those candlesticks!
