Les Misérables Background Notes (Part I)
Definition of “misérables” – (1)
(2)
What’s in a Name?
Even the title of this book has symbolic significance. In Victor Hugo’s mind, the double
meaning of “misérables” reflected social reality in ________ century France. There was often
a thin line between desperate _________ and the life of a ___________.
Introduction to Les Miserables
This classic _________ epic was written and published by Victor Hugo in 1862. The novel
paints a vivid picture of Paris after the __________________ and the controversial rule of
Napoleon Bonaparte. Hugo presents the city as a _____________ of the world. He explores
the challenges faced at every level of society during this time, especially the ______________
endured by the poor
Author’s Purpose
In explaining his epic novel, Les Miserables, Victor Hugo famously said,
“I condemn ________, I banish ________, I teach ________, I treat ________, I lighten the
night, and I hate hatred That is what I am, and that is why I have written Les Miserables.
Facts on Victor Hugo
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Born Feb. 26 ________ (during Napoleon Bonaparte’s empire)
Major leader in the French __________ movement of the 19th century
Most famous for Les Miserables and his earlier Hunchback of Notre Dame
He believed that art should show the ___________ as well as the _____________
Hugo was a passionate political advocate during his day
French Politics in Les Miserables
Les Misérables is set in the time period between ________________, and explains the era in
which France’s political structures shifted multiple times. Throughout the struggle between those
in power, Hugo makes the point that the plight of the poor improved very little.
Historical Background - I need to know about: ________________
_______________
_______________
_______________
French Revolution
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The French Revolution (______________) was a period of political and social upheaval and
radical change in the history of France, during which the French governmental structure,
previously an absolute ___________ with privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy,
underwent radical change based on Enlightenment principles of citizenship and
_______________ ________.
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These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil which included the ________________
of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, vast bloodshed and repression during the Reign of Terror,
and the Napoleonic wars.
Reign of Terror
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A period of ____________ that occurred fifty months after the onset of the French Revolution,
incited by conflict between rival political factions within the new French Republic.
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It was marked by mass executions of "enemies of the revolution." Estimates vary widely as to
how many were killed, with numbers ranging from _______________. Most “enemies” were
royalty, aristocrats, or loyal bourgeois.
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The ______________ ("National Razor") became the symbol of a string of executions.
Napoleonic Era
Several short-lived governments followed the revolution (including the Directory) which were
intended as representative governments. Napoleon Bonaparte overthrows appointed leaders
through a _____________ in _________. (Hugo born 1802).
Napoleonic Wars
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Most historians agree that the Napoleonic wars were a ____________ of the wars sparked by
the French Revolution. They refer to the conflict between Napoleon’s French empire and
various European alliances.
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French power rose quickly, conquering most of Europe, but ___________ rapidly after
France's disastrous invasion of Russia in 1812.
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Napoleon's empire ultimately suffered complete military defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in
_________. (This is when Les Miserables begins!)
Second Restoration / Bourbon Dynasty
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From _____________, the rule of France returned to the heir monarch – Louis XVII and then
Charles X. During this time the French used a constitutional ____________ where the king
governed alongside an elected _____________.
Revolution Continues
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By 1830, another Revolution occurred, pushing Charles X from the throne and replacing him
with _______________ “the citizen king.”
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When Louis Phillipe dissatisfied the poor and working class staged a ___________ uprising in
1832 (referred to as the Barricades in the novel).
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Revolts and new republic continue to disrupt politics in France for several more decades. The
country struggles to establish a government that truly ensures everyone’s right to “_________
and _________.” Hugo’s writing focuses on the workers and individuals who made great
sacrifices to reform the country and build a democracy.
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Les Misérables Background Notes (Part II)
Les Misérables: The Story
Hugo divided his story into ______ parts. He named each part after a major character.
The storyline of each major character develops separately but eventually ________ with the other
characters.
Together, these characters represent the society of Paris in the early 1800s. Each character takes on
a different _________ _________ or represents a social issue from this time period.
The Hero: ___________ ___________
Protagonist, __________ _________, begins the story as an impoverished ex-convict, newly released
after serving ____________ years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. Through the course of the
story, he defies the odds and rebuilds his life to become a respected man.
Social Issue: Poverty and the Poor
In the beginning of the novel, Jean Valjean represents the fate of many poor men in 19th
century France. Despite endless revolts by the working class in that century, there was still a
sharp divide between the rich and poor.
Social Issue: Criminals and Prisons
Jean Valjean’s character also offers a commentary on the _______ _______in 19th century
France. Hugo saw that the French criminal justice system was corrupt and the prisons filled
with poor men. At that time, over 80% of the prisoners in French prisons were male and the
majority were in prison for the crime of _____________.
Until 1748, imprisonment meant being sentenced to be a galley slave in a ship where inmates
were chained to benches to row. Based on Hugo’s own research, prisoners were frequently
abused by guards, held in overcrowded cells, required to wear color-coded uniforms to
indicate their crime, and were branded or tatooed with an identification number.
The Villain: ___________ ____________
Inspector __________ represents the _________ justice system of France during this time period. In
the story, he works as a prison guard and later as a police chief. Javert serves as opposition to Jean
Valjean’s character at every turn. Yet, he is a complex man who cannot be viewed as just another
“bad guy.”
Social Issue: Abuse of Power
Class warfare between the rich and the poor was rampant in 19th century France, and
government leaders often took advantage of this situation. Many police chiefs gained their
position through ___________ while the public turned a blind-eye to their abuses.
The Damsel: ___________
________ represents the plight of women, especially poor women, in 19th century France. Because
of limited opportunities for work, women without husbands or well-off families often ended up on the
streets. After being jilted by her fiance, Fantine struggles to survive. She works in factories and later
on the __________ __________.
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Social Issue: Prostitution
In the 19th century, two different categories of prostitutes could be identified. The first
category, ___________, were those lower-class women forced into prostitution due to poverty.
This form of prostitution was illegal. The second category, ___________, were prostitutes for
upper-class men in society. Becoming a courtesan was actually an accepted profession for
some upper-class women who chose to remain unmarried.
The Children: ___________ and ____________
Cosette and Gavroche are both young children affected by the poverty of this society. Cosette is
____________ illegitimate daughter and Gavroche is an _______ who roams the streets of Paris.
Social Issue: Children in Poverty
Children were in a particularly bad situation in 19th century cities. They were often abandoned
or became wards of the state due to poverty. They were sometimes sold into child labor or
prostitution to make money for the family. Often they ended up on the streets.
The upper class believed that children of the poor inherited their parents’___________
___________, so they didn’t want to take them in when they were abandoned.
The Lover: _________ ____________
Readers don’t meet _______ Pontmercy until the second half of the novel. This character offers an
important glimpse into the lives of the ___________. By the 1830s, France has returned to rule under
a monarchy. However, many young students and thinkers refused to give up on the fight for individual
rights and democracy. Marius is one of the revolutionaries involved in the _______________ of 1832.
Social Issue: Class Warfare
Marius Pontmercy represents a member of the ________-______ who turns against his
wealthy family to fight for social change. Marius’ grandfather was a _______ who supported
the Monarchy of Louis XVI. He avoided being killed during the Reign of Terror, only to see his
son fight in Napoleon’s army and his grandson (Marius) lead a student rebellion.
Political differences and class warfare turned many family members against each other during
this time period. Victor Hugo probably modeled the character of Marius after ___________.
Les Misérables: Literary Elements
Les Misérables and Romanticism
Romanticism was an __________ and intellectual movement of the late 18th and early 19th century
that put the individual at the center of the world and of art. Romanticism valued ________ and
___________ response to reality. It evolved partly as a reaction to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on
____________ and ____________.
Les Miserables is a Romantic work in both theme and form.
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In theme, the novel glorifies freedom of thought and spirit and makes a hero of the average
individual.
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In form, the novel offers a __________, passionate writing style rather than classical
restraint. Attention to detail and “__________” language are traits of Romantic literature.
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Les Miserables: The Setting
The story begins in several rural villages, but eventually, most of the actions and the characters
revolve around the center of ___________ itself.
Hugo explores the life of aristocrats, revolutionaries, and criminals in Paris. He explores the
____________ hierarchy of the city by dissecting the ___________ space of the city. We find the
aristocrats high above in palaces and mansions while the sewers and catacombs of Paris become the
stage for escaped convicts and revolutionaries.
The __________ itself is a ____________ of society!!
Les Miserables: Symbols and Archetypes
Beyond the city itself, many other objects will act as important symbols in the story. We will discuss
the symbolism in detail as we begin reading.
Additionally, the character and situational archetypes we have discussed this year will also present
themselves through the story. Watch for the hero’s journey cycle!
Les Miserables: Major Themes
Finally, and most importantly, be prepared to discuss these themes in relation to the story:
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Class Conflict and Revolution
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Justice and Injustice
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Human Rights
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Society’s Laws and God’s Laws
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Personal Change and Transformation
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The Power of _________
Happy Reading!!
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