Fault Voltaire Quote by Victor Hugo
““Gavroche had fallen only to rise again; he remained in a sitting posture, a long thread of blood streaked his face, he raised both arms in the air, glanced in the direction whence the shot had come, and began to sing: "Je suis tombe par terre, "I have fallen to the earth, C'est la faute a Voltaire; 'Tis the fault of Voltaire; Le nez dans le ruisseau, With my nose in the gutter, C'est la faute a . . . " 'Tis the fault of . . . " He did not finish. A second bullet from the same marksman stopped him short. This time he fell face downward on the pavement, and moved no more. This grand little soul had taken its flight.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Les Misérables, 1862
A wounded soldier sings about blame and fate, showing humanity even in death.
In simple terms: Even dying, he reflects on blame and destiny.
Key Takeaway
Find humanity in suffering.
Themes
suffering
blame
humanity
death
artistic expression
Mood
somber
poignant
Type
literary
dramatic
When to use this quote
- war scenes
- theatrical monologues
- historical novels
- memorials
Key Concepts
existentialism
tragic heroism
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the song reveal about his mindset?
- How does blame shape his final moments?
A Different Perspective
The lyrical focus may romanticize tragedy.
![“Joie est mon caractere, C'est la faute a Voltaire; Misere est mon trousseau C'est la faute a Rousseau. [Joy is my character, 'Tis the fault of Voltaire; Misery is my trousseau 'Tis the fault of Rousseau.] - Gavroche” quote by Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ba3/victor-hugo-32_character_joie-est-mon-caractere-c-est-la-faute-a_1111634.jpg)
