Fantine

Fantine (c. 1796–1823) is a character in Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. She is a young grisette in Paris who becomes pregnant by a rich student. After he abandons her she is forced to look after her child Cosette on her own. Originally a pretty and naive girl, she eventually sinks to becoming a sick, unstable prostitute, with her looks gone and several missing teeth. Most of the money she earns is sent to support her daughter.

Fantine became an archetype of self-abnegation and devoted motherhood. She has been portrayed by many actresses in stage and screen versions of the story and has been depicted in works of art.