Victor-Marie Hugo

• Born: 26 February 1802

• Died: 22 May 1885
• a French Romantic writer and politician.
During a literary career that spanned
more than sixty years, he wrote in a
variety of genres and forms. He is
considered to be one of the greatest
French writers of all time.

1. His most famous works are the novels

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831)
2. Les Misérables (1862).
 Les Misérables
• First published in 1862, and
Considered one of the greatest
novels of the 19th century.
• The novel contains various
subplots, but the main thread is
the story of ex-convict jean
Valjean who becomes a force for
good in the world but cannot
escape his criminal past.
 It is undoubtedly one of the greatest novels of the Romantic period,
and possibly, of all time. It has been an inspiration to numerous writers
such as
Emile Zola, Gustave Flaubert, Albert Camus, and Fyodor Dostoevsky.
The novel captured the revolutionary spirit of the French and ultimately
epitomized heroism, compassion, salvation, and the very essence of
humanity, which became a cornerstone and a testament to the enduring
influence the novel has on far-reaching generations worldwide. The
unflinching and unforgivable conditions of the poor, the disadvantaged, and
the marginalized are the centerpiece of this great literary masterpiece.
The novel speaks volumes to societies that clamor for progress and
change amidst the roughest terrains of corruption, greed, apathy, and
hatred. It tells the story of an ex-convict, Jean Valjean, who changed the
course of his life because of the kindness shown to him by bishop Myriel
when nobody else did. His imprisonment of nineteen years was simply for
stealing a loaf of bread.
1. What is the reason for the police officers to go
and see the bishop Myriel in such unholy hour?
2. What was the “gift” that jean Valjean took from
the bishop’s house?
3. Is life truly made up of second chance .or is it
just being at the right place at the right time?
• What second-chance experience in your life
have you encountered, and what have these
done to you.

• What is your basis for you to give a chance

or second chance in love, trust, and
forgiveness.
Les Misérables contains various

•Imagery
•Symbolism
•And Messages
Victor Hugo consciously
created this monumental text
to expose various social
injustices and to allow his
readers to critically formulate
revolutionary resolutions to
combat poverty, illiteracy,
prejudice, corruption,
oppression, and exploitation-
universal themes which
resonate up to this day.