Victor Hugo's 'Les Misérables' (1862) follows Jean Valjean, a released convict, as he seeks redemption and transforms from bitterness to kindness after being sheltered by a bishop. The story intertwines themes of love, sacrifice, and social injustice, culminating in Valjean's involvement in the Paris uprising to save the lover of his adopted daughter, Cosette. Ultimately, Valjean's selfless actions lead to his demise, leaving a profound impact on those around him, symbolizing the struggles of humanity and the social classes.

1. Les Miserables
If one were to ask what the basis of human nature and civilization encompasses, I would tell them to read Victor Hugo's epic novel, Les
Miserables (1862). Set in various locations in France, spanning from 1815 to 1832, the novel follows the main protagonist, Jean Valjean. The
story begins with the Bishop of Digne and his daily life. Jean Valjean, a released convict, stumbles upon the town where the Bishop lives and is
shunned from every inn he goes to due to his status as a former prisoner. The only one who will let him take shelter is the Bishop of Digne. This
act of kindness transforms Jean Valjean from being spiteful of humanity to being saint–like towards it, in regards to the Bishops wishes. Several
years later, Jean Valjean becomes...show more content...
Jean Valjean, noticing Marius's continuous gazes towards Cosette, stops going to the park and Marius soon becomes depressed. However,
eventually, Marius discovers Cosette's address and visits her frequently. Cosette disappears and in an oath to die because of her
disappearance, Marius acts in the Paris Uprising. In the meantime, Jean Valjean discovers the love affair between Marius and Cosette and
goes to the Uprising to assist Marius. Jean Valjean saves Marius and Javert from being killed in the revolt. Afterwards, Cosette and Marius
marry, leaving Jean Valjean devastated from having to share Cosette's love. Jean Valjean reveals his past as a convict to Marius and is soon
unwelcome from the house; however, Cosette does not know his secret. Visits stop between Jean Valjean and Cosette and as a result and he
remains in his bed. At the end of the novel, Marius learns that Jean Valjean is responsible for saving him in the Paris Uprising. The couple
visits Jean Valjean and listens to his final words. He dies as the two kiss his hands. In my opinion, Les Miserables is an incredible piece of
literature. Hugo is the master of similes and metaphors and uses it effectively in this novel. In one of his descriptions of human society and the
social classes, he compares civilization as a mountain and the poor as the caverns. How do you expect to know the whole mountain without
viewing the caverns?
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