Page 1762 - les-miserables

CHAPTER I

THE SURFACE OF

THE QUESTION

Of what is revolt composed? Of nothing and of every-
thing. Of an electricity disengaged, little by little, of a flame
suddenly darting forth, of a wandering force, of a passing
breath. This breath encounters heads which speak, brains
which dream, souls which suffer, passions which burn,
wretchedness which howls, and bears them away.
Whither?
At random. Athwart the state, the laws, athwart prosper-
ity and the insolence of others.
Irritated convictions, embittered enthusiasms, agitated
indignations, instincts of war which have been repressed,
youthful courage which has been exalted, generous blind-
ness; curiosity, the taste for change, the thirst for the
unexpected, the sentiment which causes one to take plea-
sure in reading the posters for the new play, and love, the
prompter’s whistle, at the theatre; the vague hatreds, ran-
cors, disappointments, every vanity which thinks that
destiny has bankrupted it; discomfort, empty dreams, am-

1762 Les Miserables