Les Misérables

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

‘Les Misérables‘ is a beloved classic by the French author Victor Hugo, first published in 1862. This timeless novel is an epic tale of love, justice, and redemption set against the backdrop of 19th-century France.

It follows Jean Valjean, a man who has been cruelly imprisoned for decades, as he attempts to redeem himself in a society that will not allow him to forget his past. Along the way, he meets various memorable characters, each with unique stories and struggles. Despite being faced with numerous hardships, Valjean can overcome adversity through his resilience and strength of character.

In addition to Valjean’s story, ‘Les Misérables’ also tells the stories of other characters, such as Fantine, a poor single mother; Javert, an uncompromising police officer; and the Thénardiers, a ruthless couple who take advantage of people in need.

Through these stories, Hugo illustrates the injustices and inequalities that plague French society at this time. ‘Les Misérables‘ is an important novel that speaks to justice, mercy, sacrifice, love, and redemption themes.

Key Facts about Les Misérables

• Title: Les Misérables
• When published: 1862
• Literary Period: Romanticism
• Genre: Novel, historical fiction
• Point-of-view: Third-person omniscient
• Setting: 1789-1832 in France
• Climax: Fighting at the barricades
• Antagonist: Javert, poverty

Victor Hugo and Les Misérables

Victor Hugo was a French poet, playwright, novelist, and political activist. He was born in 1802 in France and was known for his passionate, emotional works of literature. His most famous novel is ‘Les Misérables,’ published in 1862.

‘Les Misérables’ follows Jean Valjean, an ex-convict struggling to make a better life for himself. Through the story of Valjean, Hugo explores themes of injustice, morality, and redemption. The novel is acclaimed as one of the greatest novels of the 19th century and remains widely read today.

Hugo wrote the story of ‘Les Misérables‘ to explore social injustices and inequality during his lifetime. He intended to create a story that could move readers emotionally and be a call for action. Hugo aimed to bring awareness to the struggles of the lower classes and urge the upper classes to work towards a more equitable society. He saw ‘Les Misérables‘ as a way to create hope in the hearts of those facing injustices and to bring people together.

Books Related to Les Misérables

Victor Hugo’s masterpiece ‘Les Misérables‘ is one of the most important works of literature. Many books are related to this classic novel, both by Hugo himself and by other authors.

One of Hugo’s most acclaimed works is ‘The Hunchback of Notre-Dame‘, a story about a disfigured bell ringer of a cathedral in Paris. Although very different in setting, themes, and characters, the novel shares many of the same elements as ‘Les Misérables’: an exploration of human dignity, class inequality, redemption, and justice.

Another work related to ‘Les Misérables‘ is Hugo’s ‘Toilers of the Sea,’ which tells the story of a fisherman on the island of Guernsey. It contains similar themes and motifs as ‘Les Misérables‘: justice, suffering, courage, and love. Other authors have also written books related to ‘Les Misérables.’

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘To Kill A Mockingbird‘ deals with issues of race, class, and inequality in a small Southern town in the 1930s. It shares many similarities with Hugo’s work in terms of its exploration of justice and prejudice.

Additionally, Khaled Hosseini’s ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns‘ paints a vivid portrait of life in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation, examining themes of women’s rights, social injustice, and resilience. While not directly related to ‘Les Misérables,’ it has many similar elements, such as its focus on societal struggle and human endurance.

These books, along with Hugo’s own works, serve to demonstrate the timelessness of his themes and the lasting impact that ‘Les Misérables‘ has had on literature.

Lasting Impact of Les Misérables