Eponine

Eponine is a character from the musical (and book) Les Miserables ("Les Mis"), which takes during in 19th century France, at a time of rebellion. Eponine is one of the most popular characters. She sings the song "On My Own" and sings in "A Little Fall of Rain", "One Day More",and "A Heart Full of Love". The two most famous actresses who have played Eponine are Frances Rufelle and Lea Salonga.

This article discusses Eponine in the musical Les Miserables and not the book.

Eponine's Story

Spoiler warning: Plot or ending details follow.

Eponine appears briefly in the first part of Les Mis. She is the daughter of Monsieur and Madame Tenardier. The Thenardiers are innkeepers who are taking care of a little girl Cosette. Cosette's mother Fantine pays the Thenardiers to keep her. Fantine dies and leaves Cosette to the keeping of Jean Valjean. In the first half of the musical, Cosette is adopted by Jean Valjean. The musical then skips about ten years. The Thenardiers are bankrupt and on the streets of Paris. Monsieur Tenardier heads a gang of street robbers. On the streets of Paris also at this time are students, Marius and Enjorlas to name a few. Cosette is also in Paris, but she lives in a nice house. It is not told where the students live. Eponine is in love with the student Marius. Unfortunately, Marius and Cosette bump into each other on the street and fall in love. Right about now, the students, led by Enjorlas, are planning to revolt against the French government. Cosette and Jean Valjean are planning to move to England. Marius is torn. He does not know if he should follow Cosette or fight with his fellow men at the barricade(where the students are revolting). Marius finally decides to help fight at the barricade. He tells Eponine to deliver a letter to Cosette. The letter tells Cosette about how he probably will not live. After Eponine delivers the letter she decides to join Marius at the barricade. Disguised as a boy, she sneaks over the barricade. Unfortunately, in the process she is shot. She dies in Marius' arms.

Songs Eponine Sings and Descriptions

These are the five songs Eponine sings in on the Original Broadway Cast recording of Les Mis.

The first song Eponine sings is A Heart Full of Love. This song is basically about Marius and Cosette. Both of them proclaim their love for each other. Eponine sings about how she loves Marius, but Marius does not love her.
The second song Eponine sings in is One Day More. This song is basically about what will happen at the barricade. Marius is trying to decide if he will fight, the government officer is making plans to spy, and Cosette is sad that she will have to leave Marius. Eponine sings about her grievances and about how Marius, although her friend, does not notice her.
The third song Eponine sings in is On My Own. In this song Eponine talks about how she loves Marius and wishes he loved her. She talks about how she loves him, but only "on my own."
In the fourth song Eponine sings in, she dies. A Little Fall of Rain is basically about how Eponine dies while Marius comforts her.
The fifth song Eponine sings in is the finale. This song is about Jean Valjean's death, and Eponine and Fantine lead him into heaven.

References

"Les Miserables." Story Web. 26 Mrch 2005 <http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/4304/lesmis.html>.
"Les Miserables Soundtrack Lyrics." Soundtrack Lyrics. 26 March 2005 <http://www.stlyrics.com/l/lesmiserables.htm>.