Questions and Answers
When was Victor Hugo born?
1802
When did Victor Hugo die?
1885
Where did Victor Hugo lie in state?
Beneath the Arc de Triomphe
Where was Victor Hugo buried?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the name of Victor Hugo's most famous novel?
Signup and view all the answers
When was Les Misérables published?
Signup and view all the answers
How popular was Les Misérables?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was Jean Valjean sent to the galleys?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the galleys?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Robinson suggest to be the theme of this humanitarian novel?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Robinson say he omitted from the novel?
Signup and view all the answers
In his preface, what three problems of society does Victor Hugo mention?
Signup and view all the answers
When does the story of Les Misérables begin?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the traveler in the story.
Signup and view all the answers
Where did the traveler go immediately upon entering the town?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Jacquin LaBarre not accept the traveler at his inn?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the traveler's name?
Signup and view all the answers
How much money did the traveler have with him?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the children do to the traveler?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the guard tell Jean Valjean when he asked if he could stay at the jail?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the yellow passport?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused Jean Valjean to say, 'I am not even a dog!'?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Jean Valjean get into the town of D--?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the kind woman give Jean Valjean?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Madame Magloire's last duty every night?
Signup and view all the answers
Learn the French terms: madame (Mde), mademoiselle (Mlle), monsieur (M), messieurs, monseigneur, curé, abbé, ...
Signup and view all the answers
What was Jean Valjean's profession before he went to the galleys?
Signup and view all the answers
Where did Jean Valjean live before his sentence?
Signup and view all the answers
Why had Jean Valjean raised his hand 7 times while the collar was being riveted?
Signup and view all the answers
How long did it take for the prisoners to get to Toulon?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the number 24,601?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the bishop's name?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was Jean Valjean shocked when the bishop told him to sit at the table?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the bishop, to whom did the silver belong?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the bishop ask Jean Valjean when the gendarmes brought him back?
Signup and view all the answers
How much were the candlesticks worth?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did the bishop tell Jean Valjean to go and come through the front door?
Signup and view all the answers
What promise did the bishop remind Jean Valjean of?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Petit Gervais?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Jean Valjean feel after realizing how mean he had been?
Signup and view all the answers
Where does this action take place?
Signup and view all the answers
Who were the Thénardiers?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Fantine?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Cosette?
Signup and view all the answers
How much did Fantine pay the Thénardiers to take care of Cosette per month?
Signup and view all the answers
What do we find out about the Thénardiers in this exchange?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the metaphor of the mousetrap.
Signup and view all the answers
What were the names of the two Thénardier girls?
Signup and view all the answers
Why was Cosette called the Lark?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the setting of the story?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the attitude of the villagers towards strangers?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Father Madeleine and what did the townspeople say about him?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Madeleine become so wealthy?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was the man described as a terror?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Father Fauchelevent?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Javert feel when he suspected Madeleine was Jean Valjean?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Javert reveal about himself when he says he does not wish for kindness?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Madeleine's dilemma?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Madeleine go to Arras?
Signup and view all the answers
What were the reactions of those in the courtroom to Jean Valjean?
Signup and view all the answers
Where was Fantine and what was her condition?
Signup and view all the answers
What promise did Jean Valjean make to Fantine?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Javert do that caused Jean Valjean to say, 'You have killed this woman'?
Signup and view all the answers
Why did Javert not try to arrest Jean Valjean immediately?
Signup and view all the answers
What did Jean Valjean do when he said, 'Now, I am at your disposal'?
Signup and view all the answers
How did Jean Valjean get out of prison?
Signup and view all the answers
Who helped Jean Valjean elude Javert?
Signup and view all the answers
What does it show about Javert when he believes Sister Simplice?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Victor Hugo's Background
- Born in 1802 and died in 1885.
- Laid in state under the Arc de Triomphe, later buried in the Pantheon among France's illustrious figures.
Les Misérables
- Published in 1862 and gained immense popularity, selling out immediately upon release.
Jean Valjean's Backstory
- Sent to the galleys for nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children.
- Galleys refer to flat ships used for warfare, trade, and as prisons.
Themes of Redemption
- The novel explores redemption through suffering, conscience, and self-sacrifice.
Narrative Style
- The novel was abridged, omitting lengthy digressions and certain character details, yet maintaining plot integrity.
Social Issues Addressed
- Hugo highlights degradation of man due to poverty, starvation affecting women, and the physical and spiritual neglect of children.
Setting and Introduction
- Story begins at sunset in October 1815 in an unnamed town.
Description of the Traveler
- Jean Valjean, described as a stout, hardy man nearing fifty, has traveled continuously for twelve weeks.
Arrival in Town
- Upon entering, Valjean seeks refuge at the mayor's office due to fatigue, hunger, and thirst.
Host's Rejection
- Jacquin LaBarre refuses Valjean accommodation despite his money, emphasizing unwelcoming conditions for ex-convicts.
Social Hostility
- Children in the town mock and throw stones at Valjean, showcasing the community's rejection.
Yellow Passport
- Valjean’s yellow passport designates him as an ex-convict, complicating his reintegration into society.
Desperate Declaration
- Valjean expresses despair by stating, "I am not even a dog!" after being chased away by a dog when seeking shelter.
Entry into Town
- Valjean gains entry into the town through a breach in the wall.
Act of Kindness
- A kind woman offers Valjean four sous, illustrating moments of compassion amid societal neglect.
Bishop Myriel
- Bishop Myriel is depicted as a benevolent figure who invites Valjean to dinner, defying societal expectations.
Transformation of Valjean
- After stealing silver from the bishop, Valjean is inspired to become an honest man, marking a pivotal moment in his redemption journey.
Petit Gervais Episode
- The encounter with Petit Gervais, a poor boy who drops money, leads Valjean to confront his wrongdoing and desire for moral change.
Care for Cosette
- Fantine, a struggling mother, pays the Thénardiers to care for her daughter Cosette, raising questions about exploitation and poverty.
The Thénardiers
- The innkeeper couple is greedy and cruel, reflecting societal class struggles and the impact of poverty on morality.
Cosette's Condition
- Cosette, referred to as "the Lark," lives in a dehumanizing environment, resembling a trapped animal due to jealousy from the Thénardier daughters.
Setting Details
- Story unfolds in a village with a changing appearance from 1818, highlighting the indifference of its inhabitants towards outsiders.
Father Madeleine's Ascension
- Madeleine rises in wealth and status through philanthropy and hard work, eventually becoming mayor.
Javert's Role
- Javert, a strict police officer, symbolizes the law's unyielding nature and is a significant antagonist to Valjean's redemption.
Conflict and Dilemmas
- Madeleine faces a moral crisis: to remain incognito or expose himself to save another man, reflecting his internal struggle.
Jean Valjean's Sacrifice
- In Arras, Valjean reveals his identity to save an innocent man, showcasing his transformation and commitment to righteousness.
Fantine's Downfall
- Fantine’s illness and desperation culminate in tragedy, driven by societal neglect, leading to Valjean’s promise to reunite her with Cosette.
Climax and Arrest
- The interplay between Javert and Valjean escalates, exposing societal failures and personal sacrifices made in pursuit of justice and redemption.
Sister Simplice's Role
- Sister Simplice aids Valjean’s escape from Javert's pursuit, signifying hope and moral integrity amidst a morally complex society.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore the key facts about Victor Hugo and his iconic novel, Les Misérables. This quiz covers Hugo's life, his most famous work, and its popularity upon release. Perfect for students seeking a deeper understanding of the text.