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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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Themes and Analysis

Les misérables, by victor hugo.

'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo is a historical fiction novel written in 1862. It tells the story of the struggles of Jean Valjean, a man released from prison after 19 years of wrongful imprisonment.

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.

The story contains powerful themes, complex characters, and interesting plot twists. Many readers will cite ‘ Les Misérables ‘ or ‘ Les Mis ,’ as it is lovingly referred to as one of the greatest books of all time . Its highly relatable themes and the character’s personality flaws/quirks mean that readers from all walks of life will find something to relate to in the book. 

Themes 

There are several important themes in this novel. They include:

We will discuss these and their importance in ‘ Les Misérables ‘ below.

‘ Les Misérables ‘ explores the idea of redemption and how even the most broken of souls can find hope and peace, specifically the protagonist Jean Valjean who ends the novel a happy older man. Hugo masterfully weaves this theme into his novel as Jean Valjean’s journey of self-transformation is chronicled. In many ways, he’s an example of a reformed sinner that has made up for his past misdeeds by becoming an exemplary citizen.

Sacrifice is another powerful theme in ‘ Les Miserables .’ Hugo examines the concept through different characters and storylines, showing how much people are willing to give up for others. For instance, Jean Valjean gives up his newfound wealth to help Fantine and her daughter Cosette, while Marius renounces his privileged lifestyle to stand up for the poor and oppressed.

Love also plays an integral role in the novel. From Jean Valjean’s unwavering devotion to Cosette to Marius’ unconditional love for her, it’s clear that love is a powerful force that drives people to make incredible sacrifices. Hugo captures the beauty of love as it brings hope and joy to the lives of its characters. Despite the hurdles that get in their way, the characters in the novel find their way back to one another and can be with the people they love. 

Key Moments in Les Misérables 

• 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. 
• He is arrested and escapes once more. 
• Jean Valjean rescues Cosette from the cruel Thénardiers. 
• Marius is forced to leave home and meets Cosette, with whom he begins a romance. 
• Cosette and Valjean decide to leave France after Javert finds them. 
• The French Revolution begins. 
• Javert is caught, and Valjean saves his life. 
• Javert commits suicide. 
• Cosette and Marius get married, and Valjean dies of old age, happy with his family. 

Tone and Style

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 of the reasons that the book’s popularity has lasted as long as it has. Despite the passage of time, people still connect to one or more of the characters suffering in ‘ Les Misérables .’  

The style of ‘ Les Misérables ‘ is both philosophical and literary. Hugo often employs elaborate metaphors to express his ideas and take readers into a deeper exploration of his themes. He also uses an omniscient point of view to guide readers through the story of ‘ Les Misérables ,’ providing insight into the characters’ minds. Hugo also utilizes shifting points of view to shift the novel’s focus, keeping readers engaged as they explore the various elements of his narrative. The novel is often difficult to read, with Hugo going off on shorter and longer tangents about various topics. But, at its heart, it’s a relatable narrative. 

Symbols 

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.

Why is Les Misérables an important book?

‘ Les Misérables ‘ is an important book because it tells the story of redemption and hope, making it timeless and relevant for all generations. It also has a complex and detailed plot that follows the lives of several characters, giving readers a multi-layered narrative in ‘Les Misérables.’

What is the most important theme in Les Misérables ?

The most important theme in ‘ Les Misérables ‘ is the power of forgiveness and mercy. This theme is explored through the character of Jean Valjean, who is given a second chance at life despite his difficult past.

What kind of book is Les Misérables ?

‘ Les Misérables ‘ is a classic novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862. It is an epic tale of human struggle and redemption set against post-Napoleonic France.

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Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

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Les Miserables

80 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Books 1-4

Part 1, Books 5-8

Part 2, Books 1-4

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

Part 5, Books 1-4

Part 5, Books 5-9

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

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

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