Les Miserables

A detailed Summary of Les Miserables

Les Miserables is an epic tale of the very poor in spirit and body who suffer throughout their lives. Set in 19th century France, it tells the story of Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, who is able to rebuild his life. Author Kathryn M. Grossman concludes, "Les Miserables is a work to which one can return time and time again without a sense of having exhausted the possibilities. Like its multifaceted hero, it can be viewed from numerous perspectives each enriching the others..." One of the possibilities Ms. Grossman brought to light was the philosophy involved in this story. Victor Hugo, the author of Les Miserables, displays a strong sense of humanistic and philosophical beliefs in the novel through his "multifaceted hero," Jean Valjean.

Jean Valjean, Hugo's main protagonist, is a prime example of humanism at its most extreme. Valjean is first accused of crime when he steals a loaf of bread, trying to support his sister's needy family. After being a galley slave and a convict for nineteen years, he brings himself back into society with the help of Bishop Myriel. When all other turn Valjean away at their doors, Myriel provides an opportunity for the convict to begin a new life, presenting him with the candlesticks for which V

When Jean Valjean, near fifty years old, arrives at the town of Montreuil-sur-mer, his life changes again into the light. After becoming a successful man and a kindhearted donor, Valjean is named the mayor of Montreuil-sur-mer. Valjean, now under the name Monsieur Madeleine, or Monsieur the Mayor, has gained a well-respected name and the trust of his citizens. The passage "He settled differences, he prevented lawsuits, he reconciled enemies," (56) displays evidence of Valjean's reform and Hugo's belief in inherent good. Likewise the more obvious statement, "having but two thoughts: to conceal his name and to sanctify his life; to escape from men and to return to God," (69) justifies this conclusion further. When Inspector Javert declares he had wrongfully accused "Madeleine" of being Jean Valjean, Valjean is faced with dilemma, "to remain in paradise and there become a demon! To re-enter into hell and there become an angel!" (72) After he wrestles with the thought of having an innocent man punished in his place, Valjean decides that he must proclaim his own guilt to save the honest man. The good of Valjean tempts his opinions yet again to do the right and just thing. Without God, Hugo believes that man is able to make decisions that are humane and theoretically correct. In the book "Fantine," Hugo rejects the principle of a divine being proclaiming, "We have all one mother--the earth. Fantine was restored to this mother." (98) Again, the emphasis of humanism, goodness without supernatural interference is portrayed. After being captured by Javert, Jean Valjean returns to crime, faking his

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Approximate Word count = 1087
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts