The Thénardiers are fictional characters from Victor Hugo's novel, Les Misérables. They are portrayed as innkeepers who are greedy and exploitative, taking advantage of others for their own gain. Their treatment of the orphaned boy, Cosette, highlights their cruelty and selfishness. Throughout the story, the Thénardiers serve as antagonists, representing the darker side of human nature. Their actions contrast sharply with the novel's themes of redemption and compassion, particularly embodied by characters like Jean Valjean. The Thénardiers' unscrupulous behavior ultimately leads to their downfall.