“Death has its revelations: the great sorrows which open the heart open the mind as well; light comes to us with our grief. As for me, I have faith; I believe in a future life. How could I do otherwise? My daughter was a soul; I saw this soul. I touched it, so to speak.”
- February 26, 1802 – May 22, 1885
- Born in France
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels and poems such as “Les Miserables” and “Notre-Dame de Paris,” he was a representative figure of French Romantic literature and had a worldwide influence.
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Quote
“Death has its revelations: the great sorrows which open the heart open the mind as well; light comes to us with our grief. As for me, I have faith; I believe in a future life. How could I do otherwise? My daughter was a soul; I saw this soul. I touched it, so to speak.”
Explanation
Victor Hugo’s deeply emotional reflection speaks to the transformative and illuminating nature of grief and loss. He suggests that great sorrow, such as the death of a loved one, opens not only the heart but also the mind, bringing a kind of spiritual clarity or revelation. In Hugo’s view, it is through suffering that we often gain insight and a deeper understanding of life and the afterlife. Grief, rather than just a burden, brings with it a new light, shedding understanding on the mysteries of existence.
The personal nature of this statement reflects Hugo’s own experience with the death of his daughter, Leopoldine, a loss that profoundly affected him. He speaks of her as a soul, emphasizing the spiritual connection he felt, which was so real and tangible to him that it seemed as if he had physically touched her essence. This belief in the soul’s persistence after death underpins Hugo’s faith in a future life, and his conviction that death is not an end, but a transition to another form of existence. His faith is based not on abstract theology, but on the direct experience of what he believes to be the continued presence of his daughter’s soul.
In modern terms, this quote resonates with anyone who has experienced deep loss or grief, suggesting that through our most painful experiences, we might gain a renewed perspective on life and death. Hugo’s words offer comfort and hope, especially for those who believe in the existence of the soul and the possibility of a life after death. His belief that the soul remains tangible, even after physical death, encourages us to reflect on the spiritual connections we share with loved ones and the potential for continuity beyond death.
