How we cite our quotes: (Part.Book.Chapter.Line)
Quote #1
At certain times youth sparkled amid the cloisters. The recreation bell sounded, a door creaked on its hinges and the birds said, 'Here come the children!' (2.1.4.2)
Despite depicting the world as basically a grim reality of suffering and despair, Victor Hugo can have a fairly idealistic view of children. This scene is straight out of a Disney cartoon, complete with birds speaking English (or French) and little children spilling into a garden to frolic their innocent little heads off.
Quote #2
Youth, if we may be allowed the phrase, was on the move. Attitudes were changing, almost unconsciously, in accordance with the changing times. (3.4.1.1)
You what's really scary? Kids. No, really: wait until you get to be, say, thirty, and see if you don't start looking around anxiously when you approach a group of teenagers on the sidewalk. That's because youth is powerful—especially when it starts thinking about politics and revolution with no thought for personal consequences. There's a reason that your frontal lobe isn't fully developed until your mid-twenties.
Quote #3
"A bunch of young scallywags, God save us, only just out of the nursery! If you gave their noses a tweak milk would come out. And they're to debate in public!" (3.5.6.15)
From the ripe old age of 91, Monsieur Gillenormand is not impressed all these young people taking back the streets and becoming involved in politics. He thinks that these young hooligans are way too ignorant to talk about "grownup" issues. He's right in the short run—but in the long run, he and his kind had better watch out.