Les Mis

Forget not. Never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.

All for my poor Cosette!

My child, what you have is very heavy... I can carry it for you

Theme: The Importance of Love and Compassion

Motif: The Plight of Orphans

Theme: Rebirth

Symbols: Silver Candlesticks

When Myriel gives Valjean his silver candlesticks, Myriel is literally passing on this light as he tells Valjean he must promise to become an honest man. After his encounter with Myriel, for instance, Valjean reinvents himself as Madeleine, denoting that he is another step away from his old moral depravity. Marius also experiences a metaphorical death before he can reconcile himself with his grandfather and successfully court Cosette.

Hugo uses his novel to condemn the unjust class-based structure of nineteenth-century France, showing time and again that the society’s structure turns good, innocent people into beggars and criminals. Hugo focuses on three areas that particularly need reform: education, criminal justice, and the treatment of women.

The prevalence of orphans and unusual family structures in Les Misérables is the most obvious indicator that French society and politics in the period described have gone terribly wrong. But in Les Misérables, Hugo asserts that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life.

Theme: Social Injustices in 19th Century France

Forget not. Never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.

All for my poor Cosette!

My child, what you have is very heavy... I can carry it for you

Theme: The Importance of Love and Compassion

Motif: The Plight of Orphans

Theme: Rebirth

Symbols: Silver Candlesticks

When Myriel gives Valjean his silver candlesticks, Myriel is literally passing on this light as he tells Valjean he must promise to become an honest man. After his encounter with Myriel, for instance, Valjean reinvents himself as Madeleine, denoting that he is another step away from his old moral depravity. Marius also experiences a metaphorical death before he can reconcile himself with his grandfather and successfully court Cosette.

Hugo uses his novel to condemn the unjust class-based structure of nineteenth-century France, showing time and again that the society’s structure turns good, innocent people into beggars and criminals. Hugo focuses on three areas that particularly need reform: education, criminal justice, and the treatment of women.

The prevalence of orphans and unusual family structures in Les Misérables is the most obvious indicator that French society and politics in the period described have gone terribly wrong. But in Les Misérables, Hugo asserts that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life.

Theme: Social Injustices in 19th Century France