les miserables essay questions

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Les Miserables

80 pages • 2 hours read

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Part 1, Books 1-4

Part 1, Books 5-8

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Part 2, Books 5-8

Part 3, Books 1-4

Part 3, Books 5-8

Part 4, Books 1-7

Part 4, Books 8-15

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Discussion Questions

Valjean's quest for redemption begins with an escape from prison. How does Valjean struggle to escape his criminal past? What societal and cultural obstacles stand in his way?

Javert is a man driven by a total commitment to the law. How does this commitment waver? What drives him to die by suicide at the end of the novel?

In what ways does Fantine’s death explore the tragic plight of the poor during the period in which Les Misérables is set?

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• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 1 - Book One
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 1 - Book 1
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 1 - Book 2
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 1 - Book 3
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• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 1 - Book 8
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 1
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 2
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 3
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 4
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 5
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 6
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 7
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 2 - Book 8
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 1
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 2
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 3
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 4
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 5
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 6
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 7
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 3 - Book 8
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 01
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 02
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 03
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 04
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 05
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 06
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 07
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 08
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 09
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 10
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 11
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 12
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 13
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 14
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 4 - Book 16
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 1
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 2
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 3
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 4
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 5
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 7
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 8
• Les Miserables: Novel Summary: Section 5 - Book 9
• Les Miserables: Character Profiles
• Les Miserables: Metaphor Analysis
• Les Miserables: Theme Analysis
• Les Miserables: Top Ten Quotes
• Les Miserables: Biography: Victor-Marie Hugo

Les Miserables: Essay Q&A

1. Discuss the period of time wherein "Les Miserable" is set. Hugo's masterpiece covers a large portion of Revolutionary French history. The battle of Waterloo, the revolving-door of governments, and the numerous street barricade rebellions of the city of Paris during the 1830s all serve as a background for the story. The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France. The revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, also had far-reaching effects on the rest of Europe. "It introduced democratic ideals to France but did not make the nation a democracy. However, it ended supreme rule by French kings and strengthened the middle class." (Durant, 12) After the revolution began, no European kings, nobles, or other members of the aristocracy could take their powers for granted or ignore the ideals of liberty and equality. The streets of Paris saw numerous riots when the people felt that King Louis Philippe was unable to end political corruption. Students and radical republicans joined forces with discontented workers to built barricades in the poorest quarters of the city. The men, most of them unemployed, built their barricades with iron grillwork, paving stones, overturned carriages and furniture. They also cut down the trees lining the streets. Between 1827 and 1849 the streets of Paris saw barricades eight times, always in the city's eastern half. Three times these barricades were a prelude to revolution. 2. Describe the setting for the novel "Les Miserable"? Amidst the redemption story, the love story, the bravery and heroism story, the setting for Les Miserables is the Parisian underworld. The novel depicts the living conditions and political problems of France and Paris during the French revolutions of 1830, 1832, and 1848. In doing so, Hugo portrays the life of the revolutionary middle class. Victor Hugo uses Fantine to exemplify the life of the single working woman. He shows how people take advantage of her and how she is thrown deeper and deeper into poverty and desperation by her circumstances. Even though she is able to procure a job as a factory worker, and finds a foster home for her illegitimate daughter, she has difficulty in making ends meet and becomes a prostitute in order to meet the payments that her daughter's caretakers require. Men had a wider range of opportunities and could work almost anywhere. Many men were skilled artisans, shopkeepers, factory workers, or unskilled migrant workers. Unfortunately jobs were not abundant and most people were poor and out of work. The working class lived either in boarding houses or apartments. Single workers would usually rent a room in a Boarding house and share a bed with another worker. Workers with families usually rented an apartment which consisted of one or two rooms. Usually it was shared with another family or with another generation of the same family. The rooms had no heat or candles for light and no water. The facilities were shared by all the occupants of the building and were located either on a landing or in the courtyard. The Thenadiers represent the struggles that a poor family had to endure. They try running an inn and when that fails they have nothing and live in utter poverty. They scheme and plot to try to get money but everything fails. In order to escape the crowded conditions of the home, the cafe provided a certain amount of relief. It offered entertainment and served as a meeting place mostly for men. This setting serves as the background at various times throughout the novel. 3. Develop the following thesis: The doctrine of French romanticism was set forth by Victor Hugo. The upheavals of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic era were accompanied by new intellectual trends. An important figure in the Romantic Movement was Victor Hugo. He deviated from the traditional dramatic structure in the early 1830's when Romanticism was in its infancy. Victor Hugo not only wrote about Romanticism but he also lived the life of an ideal Romantic. He personified the Romantic image when he left France in 1851. Prior to this exile, he became active in politics and hoped to become Prime Minister of the new government established by the younger Bonaparte; the attempt was a failure. Disillusioned when Bonaparte seized absolute control, Hugo became a violent critic of the new regime and went into exile in 1851. The primary belief of the romantic was in the goodness of humanity; the rediscovery of the artist as a supremely individual creator; the development of nationalistic pride; and the delight of the senses and emotions over reason and intellect. Interest in religion and in the powers of faith were also important during the Romantic period, however the Romantics generally rejected absolute systems, whether they were philosophical or religious, in favor of the idea that each person (and humankind collectively) must create the system by which to live. Victor Hugo, in his poems, novels, and plays followed these beliefs and provided the greatest momentum to the romantic movement throughout the world.

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Les Misérables Questions

Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer..

• How responsible is Jean Valjean for his financial success? How responsible is Bishop Myriel for it? Does it matter?
• Why is Inspector Javert so committed to catching Jean Valjean? Support your answer with evidence from the text.
• How does Javert react when Jean Valjean saves his life? Why? What does it tell us about the theme of justice in this book?
• Do you find Bishop Myriel's kindness believable? Why or why not?
• What main lesson do you take away from Les Misérables ? Is it a convincing one? Why or why not?
• What do you make of the fact that the second half of this book focuses on a failed 1832 revolt? Why didn't Hugo choose a more successful rebellion from history?
• Which character in this book do you have the most sympathy for? Why?
• Which character do you have the least sympathy for? Why?
• Why is this book so long ? Does it need to be, or could Hugo have gotten his point across in, say, 350 words?
• Do you find the ending of this book hopeful, pessimistic, or neither? Why?

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Book Review — Les Misérables: A Critical Analysis

Les Misérables: a Critical Analysis

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Published: Feb 7, 2024

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Historical context, critical reception.

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Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

• Publication Date: November 1, 2003
• Genres: Classics , Fiction
• Paperback: 896 pages
• Publisher: Barnes & Noble Classics
• ISBN-10: 1593080662
• ISBN-13: 9781593080662
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Les Miserables

By victor hugo.

• Les Miserables Summary

Jean Valjean is an ex-convict who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. Upon his release, he finds that he is treated like an outcast everywhere he goes, until the Bishop Myriel helps him to create a new life for himself. He adopts the name Monsieur Madeleine, and becomes a successful factory owner. However, he is hunted by the dogged police officer Javert , who believes that no criminal can ever truly reform.

Fantine is an impoverished but beautiful young woman who falls in love with a pompous young student, who eventually abandons her shortly after she gives birth to their child. Fantine names this daughter Cosette , and leaves her in the care of the Thénardiers in order to find work. The Thénardiers treat Cosette cruelly, and charge Fantine high sums of money for the care of her daughter. After her illegitimate child is discovered, she loses her job at Valjean's factory and is forced to turn to prostitution.

Javert takes her into custody after she assaults a young man who shoves a snowball down her blouse. Valjean intervenes and brings Fantine to a hospital; she is deathly ill after the snowball incident. Valjean promises Fantine that he will take care of her daughter Cosette, but this task is interrupted when Valjean hears that a man named Champmathieu has been mistakenly identified as him, and faces life imprisonment as a recidivist convict. After much soul-searching, Valjean testifies in front of the court that he is actually Valjean. Fantine dies, and Valjean is imprisoned once again.

Valjean escapes prison after falling from a rope, and he rescues Cosette from the wicked Thénardiers. They start a new life in Paris that is soon interrupted by Javert, who has discovered that Valjean escaped from prison alive. The two take shelter in the Petit-Picpus convent, and Cosette grows into a young woman.

Marius is a wealthy young man who adores his grandfather Gillenormand. However, Gillenormand has cut off Marius from his father, Georges Pontmercy, because the two men disagree on politics. Marius thought his father abandoned him, but the friendly churchwarden Monsieur Mabeuf tells him the truth, and Marius begins to idolize his father (who has died). Eventually, this leads to a falling-out between Marius and Gillenormand, and Marius starts a new life. He becomes friends with the revolutionary ABC Society, and falls in love with Cosette, and beautiful young woman that he sees in the Luxembourg garden. Marius is unable to find this young woman again, and falls into despair.

However, the past catches up to them. The Thénardiers attempt to extort money from Valjean by kidnapping him, but Marius intervenes and saves him. The eldest Thénardier daughter, Éponine, has fallen in love with him. Marius has eyes only for Cosette, and the two establish a relationship when Marius leaves a notebook of love letters in her garden. Their romance is cut short when Valjean decides that he and Cosette must leave France and move to England, because of the social upheaval.

In despair, Marius joins an uprising against the government. He finds his friends from the ABC Society at a barricade, where they are doing battle against the police and the army. Javert has attempted to infiltrate their ranks as a spy, but he has been discovered and lashed to a pole. Éponine dies protecting Marius on the barricade.

Valjean, who has discovered Marius' love for Cosette, joins the group at the barricade. He volunteers to execute Javert, but then lets him go instead, much to Javert's bewilderment. Valjean returns just as the army is overwhelming the barricade. He seizes a gravely injured Marius and disappears down the sewers. Javert is waiting for Valjean at the exit, but rather than arresting him, he shows Valjean mercy and allows him to bring the wounded Marius to safety (Marius never learns the identity of the man who saved him). Disgusted and horrified at his lapse of duty, Javert commits suicide.

Marius recovers from his wounds and, with the blessing of Gillenormand and Valjean, marries Cosette. Valjean has confessed his criminal past to Marius, who is horrified that the man is a criminal. Marius and Cosette grow closer as Valjean and Cosette grow farther apart. Valjean's life loses its meaning without Cosette, and his health fades. However, Valjean's heroism is made clear to Marius when Thénardier unwittingly reveals to Marius that it was Valjean who saved him on the night the barricade fell. Marius and Cosette arrive in time to comfort Valjean on his deathbed and the old man dies in peace, with the satisfaction of a life well and righteously lived.

Les Miserables Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Les Miserables is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

what is the message of redemption conveyed in the extract?

Love can redeem even the worst characters in Les Misérables . It was the brotherly love shown by Bishop Myriel that pulled Jean Valjean out of his misanthropy following his release from prison, and it was Cosette's love that further encouraged him...

The cops explain that their neighborhood was plagued with petty crime and drugs. Who helped cleaned the neighborhood a little bit?

I don't recall this in the book and have not seen the movie. Do you mean the musical?

What did the Bishop mean when he said that Jean Valjean no longer belonged to evil and that he bought his soul from him?

In context, by allowing him to take the silver, the Bishop is pointing Valjean is the direction of redemption. He isn't merely allowing Valjean to take the silver, but rather his gift restores Valjean's sense of worth and provides him with a new...

Study Guide for Les Miserables

Les Miserables study guide contains a biography of Victor Hugo, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Les Miserables
• Character List

Essays for Les Miserables

Les Miserables essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.

• Jean Valjean: An Angel in Hell
• Javert: The Righteous Villain
• Romanticism in Les Miserables
• Depictions of Social Climbing in 19th Century French and English Literature
• Love Conquers All: The Central Theme of Les Miserables

Lesson Plan for Les Miserables

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Les Miserables
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Les Miserables Bibliography

E-Text of Les Miserables

Les Miserables E-Text contains the full text of Les Miserables

• VOLUME I, BOOK FIRST--A JUST MAN
• VOLUME I, BOOK SECOND--THE FALL
• VOLUME I, BOOK THIRD--IN THE YEAR 1817
• VOLUME I, BOOK FOURTH--TO CONFIDE IS SOMETIMES TO DELIVER INTO A PERSON'S
• VOLUME I, BOOK FIFTH--THE DESCENT

Wikipedia Entries for Les Miserables

• Introduction