Thenardier is a fictional character from Victor Hugo's novel Les Misérables. He is portrayed as a cunning innkeeper who exploits others for his own gain, particularly through his mistreatment of the orphaned boy Cosette. Throughout the story, Thenardier embodies greed and selfishness, often engaging in dishonest schemes. His character serves as a contrast to the novel's themes of redemption and compassion, highlighting the struggles of the less fortunate in 19th-century France.