Rasmussen College

LIT 3382

LES MISERABLES 2
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Introduction
Les Miserables is a novel written by Victor Hugo during the French historical periods. The
author, at that time, was in exile from France, a country he loved. Throughout the world, his
admirers, as well as his enemies, devoured his work, which on the other hand had interesting
aspects upon the public. His novel is among the greatest novels of the 19th century. It was first
published in 1862, and it bases its ideas upon the history of France, religion, romance and family
love, justice, moral philosophy, and politics. The novel has become popular through channels
such as films, televisions, stage, and musicals. Even though the novel has various aspects, the
main thread is more concerned with Jean Valjean, a convict who cannot escape his criminal past
but becomes a world's force for good. The whole book is divided into several volumes and the
volumes into chapters. Hugo is believed to have acquired some of his sources from several
strangers and a police officer. The book treats the advance from falsity to truth, evil to good,
decay to life, and justice to injustice. Critics were quick to condemn that he u