Part I, Book 3, Chapter 4
Tholomyès Is So Happy, He Sings a Spanish Song
Utterly saccharine chapter, the literary version of a rococo painting (which Hugo makes several references to, so he obviously nailed the mood board). The four couples (Bros and Gal Pals) are gallivanting in the country with joyful abandon.
Amid perfect breezes and perfect sunshine and perfect flowers and perfect birdsong the couples flirt and run after each other and life is amazing. At one point the girls take turns being pushed on a big swing under a tree, their “billowing skirts” poofing up, and I realized at this point that Hugo was just writing Fragonard’s “The Swing” rococo fanfic.
The girls’ skirts flying up and showing their legs gets Tholomyès so happy (“happy”) that he sings, as the chapter title indicates, a Spanish song, where the words translate to “All my soul is in my eyes because you are showing your legs.”
Tholomyès is a leg guy, got it. Also a horny mofo, but that goes without saying.
Here is a list of the things the Four Bros and Gal Pals do on their amazing perfect day:
- See a plant from India
- Ride some donkeys
- Swing on the aforementioned swing
- Ride a coaster ride
This is an extremely “day trip to Six Flags” coded outing. Is this the “endless wonder” Fantine sings of in “I Dreamed a Dream”??? Girl!!! You can do so much better!!!
The chapter ends with Favourite asking when they’re getting the “surprise” that Tholomyès has promised. “Patience,” he says. The bad vibes intensify.
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