The Poor Man whom everyone speaks of, the Poor Man whom everyone pities, one of the repulsive Poor from whom charitable souls keep their distance, he has still said nothing. Or, rather, he has spoken through the voice of Victor Hugo, Zola, Richepin. At least, they said so. And these shameful impostures fed their authors. Cruel irony, the Poor Man tormented with hunger feeds those who plead his case.

Summary

This quote examines the ironic paradox of the poor man's silent suffering. While the poor are often treated with compassion and pity by others, they seldom have the opportunity or platform to express their own experiences and narratives. Instead, they are represented and portrayed by others who profit from their struggles through literature, such as Victor Hugo, Zola, and Richepin. This quote highlights the unjust reality where the impoverished who suffer from hunger inadvertently support and sustain the success of those who claim to advocate for their cause, revealing the cruel irony of their situation.

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