Les Misérables is a sweeping story that, at its core, is about one man's path to redemption. The novel features a large cast of characters and multiple subplots set against the backdrop of political chaos in early nineteenth-century France. Hugo's reputation as "a man of the people" is burnished by the novel. How does the novel's historical and cultural context shape the story's structure, point of view, and themes? What do you think the author is trying to say about how a society treats its "outcasts"? How do you, as a modern reader, respond to the novel's characters, events, and themes?

Question

Short answer

Answer 1

The historical and cultural context of early nineteenth-century France profoundly shapes "Les Misérables." The backdrop of post-revolutionary turmoil, class struggle, and social injustice informs the novel's structure, which is episodic and sprawling, reflecting the chaos of the time. Hugo employs a third-person omniscient point of view to navigate this vast narrative landscape, allowing for multiple perspectives and subplots that highlight the struggles of various social classes, particularly the marginalized.

Hugo critiques the societal treatment of "outcasts"—like Jean Valjean, Fantine, and Gavroche—by illustrating how systemic injustices, such as poverty and the penal system, dehumanize individuals. He suggests that a compassionate society should offer redemption and support for the downtrodden rather than cast them aside.

As a modern reader, I resonate with the novel's themes of compassion, social justice, and the quest for redemption. The characters' struggles against adversity evoke empathy and challenge me to reflect on contemporary issues of inequality and the treatment of society's most vulnerable. Hugo's call for kindness and understanding remains relevant, prompting a critical examination of how we treat those deemed outcasts in today's world.