Reading Lessons
 While you read, look for:
 Text evidence that characterizes Myriel as a good and
compassionate man (go beyond the obvious such as a
character saying, “He is a good man”).
 Text evidence that illustrates JVJ’s wretchedness (again, go
beyond the obvious).
7. What does JVJ mean when he exclaims. “’I am not
even a dog!’”
9. JVJ’s shaking his fist at the church is quite symbolic.
What does it mean?
 11. The opening scene describes JVJ’s return to society
with stark realism. Discuss three details that
contribute to this realism. How does this realism
affect JVJ’s character development?
 (realism: representing the world in an objective and
non-idealized manner; the “nitty-gritty”)
2. Describe the bishop’s character using text evidence for
support.
3. The bishop calls JVJ “monsieur.” What is the
significance of the this title? Explain the metaphor that
Hugo uses to represent this significance.
“Monsieur to a convict is a glass of water to a man dying
of thirst at sea.”
(pg. 45)
 Recount JVJ’s life, from childhood to his conviction:
 Parents:
 Then lived with:
How many years did JVJ
spend in prison? Why was
his sentence lengthened?
 Took on role of:
 Crime:
 Result:
What effect did the galleys have
on JVJ?
1. As JVJ stands beside the bishop’s bed, he encounters
two spectacles that attempt to alter his decision. What
are they, and do they succeed?
4. What do the following words, spoken by the bishop,
represent?
“Jean Valjean, my brother, you belong no longer to evil,
but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I
withdraw it from the dark thoughts and from the spirit
of perdition, and I give it to God!”
1. When JVJ awakes from his transfixed state and realizes
that he has stolen Petit Gervais’ money, what does he
do? How does this signify that JVJ has changed?
2. Light is an important symbol in Les Misérables.
How is light used in this chapter, and what does it
represent?
 W2R4:
1. How much time has passed since Myriel gave JVJ the
candlesticks?
2. Who are the four students and what is their prank?
3. Why is Fantine secretly heartbroken by this prank?
4. What can we learn about Fantine's personality at
this point?
W2R4:
 Hugo compares children to angels—why?
 Explain Fantine’s arrangement with the Thenardiers.
 Is this a good situation for Fantine and Cosette? Why?
 Hugo compares children to angels—why?
1. Explain the meaning to the following metaphor:
“The captured mouse was a very puny one, but the cat
exulted even over a lean mouse.” (93)
2. To which social class do the Thenardiers belong?
1.
How do the Thenardiers treat Cosette, and why does
Fantine allow it?
2.
Why is the lark an appropriate metaphor for Cosette?
W2R4:
What is JVJ’s new identity? How does he successfully
assume a new name?
In this new identity, how does he follow the bishop’s
orders?
2. What is JVJ’s new identity? How does he successfully
assume a new name?
1. As Father Madeleine, how does JVJ follow the bishop’s
orders?
1. Why does Father Madeleine break into people’s
houses?
2. The silver candlesticks appear again. Where are they,
and what do they represent?
1. How does the bishop’s death affect Father Madeleine,
both emotionally and socially?
2. How does Father Madeleine attempt to make aamends
for stealing from Petit Gervais?
1. Father Madeleine, now named Monsieur Madeleine,
eventually earns trust and support of everyone in M–
sur M--. How do the people demonstrate this total
acceptance?
2. What one man distrust M Madeleine? How doe M.
Madeleine react to this man?
Who is Father Fauchelevent, and what is his opinion of
M. Madeleine?
1. What further kindness does M. Madeleine show Father
Fauchelevent?
2. How does Javert react to M. Madeleine following the
cart incident? Why does he act this way?
W2R4:
Javert visits M. Madeleine. How does this interaction
define Javert’s character?
1. Why does M. Madeleine receive Javert coldly?
2. Why does Javert visit M. Madeleine? How does this
interaction define Javert’s character?