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Mar 6, 2021 · Hugo used Les Misérables to criticize the injustices of 19th century France. However, issues dealt with in the novel are universal and still resonate — the rights of women, intergenerational ...
- William Nuttle
Les Misérables (/ l eɪ ˌ m ɪ z ə ˈ r ɑː b (əl),-b l ə /, [4] French: [le mizeʁabl]) is a French epic historical novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, that is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
- Themes
- Key Moments in Les Misérables
- Tone and Style
- Symbols
There are several important themes in this novel. They include: 1. Redemption 2. Sacrifice 3. Love We will discuss these and their importance in ‘Les Misérables‘ below.
Jean Valjean is released from prison and steals a Bishop’s silver.He determines to lead an honest life.Jean Valjean becomes the mayor of Montreuil Sur Mer after changing his name.He meets Fantine, she dies, and he swears to take care of Cosette.Victor Hugo uses a sympathetic and sorrowful tone throughout ‘Les Misérables.’ Hugo was driven by a desire to expose the hardships of the lower class in 19th-century France, and his tone reflects this passion. He paints a vivid picture of the poverty and misery that many characters experience, often using both stark and poetic imagery. This is one ...
The Barricades
One of the most iconic symbols of ‘Les Misérables‘ is the barricades. This symbolizes the struggle of the working class during the June Rebellion in Paris, and it acts as a reminder of the injustice and cruelty experienced by those living in poverty. Hugo often uses barricades to demonstrate how perseverance and solidarity can overcome human struggle and suffering.
The Bishop’s Silver Candlesticks
Another important symbol in ‘Les Misérables‘ is the silver candlesticks given to Jean Valjean by the Bishop. This symbolizes grace and salvation, as they represent Valjean’s redemption from his previous life of crime. In addition, the silver candlesticks also represent a moral responsibility to help those who are less fortunate.
Animals
Throughout the novel, Hugo returns again and again to animals as a source of inspiration for his descriptions of people and their character traits. Birds and snakes are reoccurring images in the novel. The former describes Cosette at more than one point in the book.
Les Misérables remains relevant for its exploration of timeless themes, including the struggle for justice and the power of compassion. Les Misérables has had a lasting impact on literature and has been adapted numerous times across several types of media.
Les Misérables centres on the character Jean Valjean, an ex-convict in 19th-century France. The story spans many years as it tells of Valjean’s release from prison and reformation as an industrialist while being constantly pursued by the morally strict inspector Javert.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- The themes of Les Misérables are concerned with social issues in 19th-century urban France. Victor Hugo uses Les Misérables to deliver critiques of...
- Les Misérables is set in multiple locations in Paris and Montreuil-sur-Mer, often featuring places populated by the impoverished and downtrodden. L...
- Les Misérables was adapted into a musical in 1980 by Alain Boublil, who wrote the book and the lyrics, and Claude-Michel Schönberg, who wrote the m...
Aug 3, 2024 · Points out that in Les Misérables the most important reference to hell is its embodiment in the sewers of Paris, through which Jean Valjean carries Marius as the final part of his...
In Les Misérables, Hugo traces the social impact of the numerous revolutions, insurrections, and executions that took place in late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century France. By chronicling the rise and fall of Napoléon as well as the restoration and subsequent decline of the Bourbon monarchy, Hugo gives us a sense of the perpetual ...
