Les Misérables
Victor Hugo
“(Les Misérables) is the march from evil to good, from injustice to justice, from the false
to the true…from rottenness to life, from brutality to duty, from Hell to Heaven, from
nothingness to God.” Victor Hugo
Characters:
Bishop Myriel
Jean Valjean
Fantine
Cosette
Inspector Javert
Théniardier
Marius
Response Questions
What are some of the social evils which Hugo was attacking in LM?
How is the plight of Fantine used to highlight the treatment of women by late 18th /early
19th century French society?
How does LM reflect the theme of love and compassion? Give specific examples.
How does Hugo convince us that the misérables – the poor, the outcast -- are worth
saving?