2.4.2
I love the title. It says everything really about the two people who have come to make a temporary nest away from society. Owl is of course obvious with connotations of someone who comes out during the night. Donougher also gives the meaning of the owl as a reclusive person which fits Valjean but she also says that Cosette was called a fauvette or a warbler, which is a delicate little songbird, with fauve also meaning wild, and this links to Cosette’s description from the beginning as well. I love that now Alouette will actually have the freedom to sing.
I also really like that Hugo himself draws the parallels from Valjean kissing Fantine’s hand to kissing the child’s hand and having the love for Cosette completely fill his heart. From now on, he is living entirely for Cosette and he starts by looking at her very tenderly, as a parent watching over a child sleeping. Hugo talks especially of kindness and tenderness with descriptions of Valjean and later he would seems to occupy the role of a mother for Cosette.
I continue to like the way Hugo writes a little child asking too many questions from this kind man that she trusts and snatching at Catherine to play with the doll. Her entire body language is so free and different from what it was in Thenardier household where she would make herself as small as possible, so this is such a pleasant change, despite their dreary accomodations. Ofcourse, it will still take time for Cosette to forget that she no longer has to fear Thenardiers but for now, I love that this little child is a child once more and these two people have found their own little happiness within this tiny hovel.
