Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables An Introduction

The History France, 1700’s- Commoners resented the privileges of nobles and clergy The Bastille was stormed starting the French Revolution. –Declaration of the Rights of Man

1799- Napoleon Bonaparte entered Paris. He was crowned First Consul ending the revolution. –1804- Emperor Napoleon I crowned Revolution installs Louis Napoleon as President.

1851- Louis Napoleon declared emperor Napoleon III Napoleon III exiled by Germans in Franco-Prussian War. –End of monarchy in France

The Author 2/26/1802- Victor Hugo was born. Father was a general in Napoleon's army His mother dies. Hugo refuses his father’s $ and lives in poverty.

1830- Hugo’s play Hernani makes him wealthy and divides the public. Following the Revolution of 1848, Hugo is elected deputy to the Constitutional Assembly Louis Napoleon reestablished the empire. Hugo opposed it and fled to Brussells.

1862- Les Miserables was published. It was a hit with the public and banned by the French government The empire fell and Hugo returned triumphantly to France.

1885- Hugo died. Three million mourners attended his funeral.

Themes Love Redemption Legal vs. Moral Justice Social Injustice Destiny Power of Religion