LES MISÉRABLES

By: Victor Hugo

Foundation

Setting: Cities in France during the early Nineteenth century

Point of View: Third Person Omniscient

Important Characters Jean Valjean (Madeleine) Fantine Javert Cossette Marius- falls in love with Cosette M. Myriel- Bishop Thénardiers (Jondrettes)- A cruel couple Champmathieu- accused of being Valjean

Secondary Characters

Colonel Georges Pontmercy- Marius’s Father Mr. Gillenormand- Marius’s grandfather Enjolras- Leader of Friends of the ABC lead the rebellion at

barricade. Eponine- Thénardiers’ oldest daughter Felix Tholomyés- Fantine’s lover in Paris Gavroche- Thénardiers’ eldest son Fauchelevent- rescued by Valjean carriage accident Petit-Gervais- A child Valjean steals from Mr. Mabeuf- Officer of Church tells Marius the truth about

father. Azelma- Thénardiers’ youngest daughter.

Summary Overview Valjean released from prison M. Myriel (Town Bishop) accepts him into home in

return Valjean steals Silverware police came to arrest Valjean M. Myriel tells the officer that it was a gift and even

told Valjean that he forgot the candlesticks Made Valjean promise to become an honest man Changes identity (Madeleine) moves to different town New town:• Invents manufacturing process prosperity• Becomes the mayor

Summary Overview Meanwhile Fantine & Tholomyés • Pregnant and abandoned Fantine returns hometown• Illegitimate daughter (Cossette) Thénardiers look after Cossette for monthly pay• Treated like slave and abused Fantine gets job• Fired Prostitution… Fantine deathly ill• Madeleine promises to send for Cossette Man accused of being Jean Valjean• Madeleine confesses to save the man

Summary Overview Javert arrests Valjean • Fantine dies of shock Valjean escapes prison• Rescues Cossette Find shelter Cossette meets Marius• Love• Valjean’s protective Marius plans to marry• He goes to ask… Relocated Rebellion at the barricade (Climax) Eponine dies saving Marius• Letter

Summary Overview Marius sends letter Valjean reads Saves Marius Marriage Discovers Valjean No contact Marius’ realization Reunite with Valjean Valjean dies in peace

Hugo’s Style! Motif…Disguises:• ThénardierJondrette• Valjean Madeleine Theme.. Rebirth:• Ex-convict Honest man Color Imagery Animal Imagery Cossette Bird Thénardiers Snakes Foreshaddowing

Quotes “Valjean had fallen back, the light from the

candlesticks fell across him; his white face looked up toward heaven, he let Cossette and Marius cover his hands with kisses; he was dead.”

“Valjean strained his eyes in the distance and called out…“Petit Gervais!...’ His cries died away into the mist, without even awaking an echo… His knees suddenly bent under him, as if an invisible power suddenly overwhelmed him with the weight of his bad conscience; he fell exhausted… and cried out, “I’m such a miserable mane!’”