1.6 LES MISERABLES

• Victor Hugo - Author of Les Miserables.
• In order to efficiently narrate a story, author's will use different approaches and techniques to draw out its essence. One can use a graphic organizer to identify the elements in texts, stories, narratives, or any other written outputs.
• "Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise" - Victor Hugo
• Victor Hugo - A famous french novelist who's the author of "Les Miserables"
• Victor Hugo - He was concerned about political issues like education, human rights, and injustice.
• Victor hugo started writing Les Miserables in 1845 and finished in 1861.
• The novel "Les Miserables" is about social misery and injustice
• Les Miserables has 5 parts
• Each part of Les Miserables are divided into books
• Les Miserables is lengthy, exceeding 1200 pages.
• Les Miserables - Literally "The miserable ones"
• Les Miserables - Is considered as one of the greatest novel in 19th century.
• Les Miserables follows the interaction of french characters, starting in 1815 and culminating in the 1832 June Rebellion.
• June Rebellion - Also known as Paris Uprising
• June Rebellion - Was a brief and bloody insurrection of the Parisian republicans in 1832 against the newly-established french monarchy of Louis Philippe.
• The novel focuses on the struggles of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.
• "Not being heard is no reason for silence" Victor Hugo
• Threshold - Any place or point of entering or beginning.
• Stupefaction - The feeling of distress and disbelief when something bad happens accidentally
• Venerable - Commanding respect because of great age or impressive dignity
• Bewildered - Perplexed and confused; very puzzled
• Perdition - (In Christian Theology) A state of eternal punishment and damnation into which a sinful and unpenitent person passes after death.
• Major Characters in Les Miserables

  • Jean Valjean
  • Bishop M. Myriel
• Jean Valjean - introduced as prisoner number 24601
• Jean Valjean - Ex-convict who was previously sentenced to 19 years of prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children, and an attempt to escape prison.
• Bishop M. Myriel - Referred to as Bishop Myriel or Bishop Monseigneur Bienvenu.
• Bishop M. Myriel - Turned Valjean's life around when he lied to save him from prison.
• Bishop M. Myriel - His kindness serves as a driving force behind Jean Valjean's change of heart.