Les Misérables

Marius discovers that the evil poor can be even more hideous than the evil rich. He is specifically referring to the Thenardiers, a poor and manipulative couple who exploit others for their own gain.

The title "Les Miserables" translates to "The Miserable Ones" in English. It reflects the overarching theme of poverty, injustice, and struggling redemption depicted in the novel by Victor Hugo. The title captures the plight of the characters and the societal conditions prevalent during the time period of the story.

In Les Miserables, characters like Fantine and Jean Valjean face social stigma and ostracism due to their circumstances. Despite their ignominy, they yearn for dignity and respect. Fantine, who becomes a prostitute to support her daughter, still desires to be seen as a loving mother. Similarly, Valjean, an ex-convict, seeks redemption and a chance to live with honor. This theme underscores the human need for recognition and empathy, even in the face of disgrace.

Worse than an animal.

Cosette is forced to do all the menial chores in the household. She is up before dawn every morning. Her only dress is a ragged cast off from the Thenardier's children. She has never been given a gift, not even on Christmas. Mme. Thenardier finds pleasure in physically abusing her and does so with the slightest inclination. Cosette is described with chilblains on her hands, lips blue with cold, and jutting bones. It is no wonder that "her whole person...expressed and uttered a single idea: fear." (Cosette, Book III, Ch. VIII)

The last book of "Les Miserables" focuses on the events surrounding the June Rebellion in Paris. It follows the characters as they navigate the turmoil and uncertainty of the insurrection, ultimately leading to resolution and redemption for some, while tragedy befalls others. The themes of justice, sacrifice, and forgiveness are further explored in the conclusion of the story.

The irony lies in the fact that Jean Valjean is willing to go to great lengths to protect and care for Cosette as her surrogate father, but he chooses to keep the truth about her past from her, denying her the chance to know her own history and potentially find closure or understanding. By concealing the address from Cosette, Valjean unintentionally contributes to her isolation and sense of disconnectedness from her past.

PLEASE HELP It's not even about the French Revolution...>_>;; It's the student revolution...the story took place roughly around 1804, and Cosette and Marius hardly even were mentioned until 1832 -- the year General Lemarque (revolutionist, you know him?) died. The French Revolution ended 1799. :D

PROLOGUE: 1815, DIGNE

Jean Valjean, released on parole after 19 years on the chain gang, finds that the yellow ticket-of-leave he must, by law, display condemns him to be an outcast. Only the saintly Bishop of Digne treats him kindly and Valjean, embittered by years of hardship, repays him by stealing some silver. Valjean is caught and brought back by police, and is astonished when the Bishop lies to the police to save him, also giving him two precious candlesticks. Valjean decides to start his life anew.

1823, MONTREUIL-SUR-MER

Eight years have passed and Valjean, having broken his parole an changed his name to Monsieur Madeleine, has risen to become both a factory owner and Mayor. One of his workers, Fantine, has a secret illegitimate child. When the other women discover this, they demand her dismissal. The foreman, whose advances she has rejected, throws her out.

Desperate for money to pay for medicines for her daughter, Fantine sells her locket, her hair, and then joins the whores in selling herself. Utterly degraded by her new trade she gets into a fight with a prospective customer and is about to be take to prison by Javert when "The Mayor" arrives and demands she be taken to a hospital instead.

The Mayor then rescues a man pinned down by a runaway cart. Javert is reminded of the abnormal strength of convict 24601 Jean Valjean, a parole-breaker whom he has been tracking for years, but who, he says has just been recaptured. Valjean, unable to see an innocent man go to prison in his place, confesses to the court that he is prisoner 24601.

At the hospital Valjean promises the dying Fantine to find and look after her daughter Cosette. Javert arrives to arrest him, but Valjean escapes.

1823, MONTFERMEIL

Cosette has been lodged for five years with the Thenardiers who run an inn, horribly abusing the little girl whom they use as a skivvy while indulging their own daughter, Eponine. Valjean finds Cosette fetching water in the dark. He pays the Thenardiers to let him take Cosette away and takes her to Paris. But Javert is till on his tail...

1832, PARIS

Nine years later there is a great unrest in the city because of the likely demise of the popular leader General Lamarque, the only man left in the Government who shows any feeling for the poor. The urchin Gavroche is in his element mixing with the whores and the beggars of the capital. Among the street-gangs is one led by Thenardier and his wife, which sets upon Jean Valjean and Cosette. They are rescued by Javert, who does not recognize Valjean until after he has made good his escape. The Thenardiers' daughter Eponine, who is secretly in love with the student Marius, reluctantly agrees to help him find Cosette, with whom he has fallen in love.

At a political meeting in a small cafe, a group of idealistic students prepare for the revolution they are sure will erupt on the death of General Lamarque. When Gavroche brings the news of the General's death, the students, led by Enjolras, stream out into the streets to whip up popular support. Only Marius is distracted by the thoughts of the mysterious Cosette.

Cosette is consumed by the thoughts of Marius, with whom she has fallen in love. Valjean realizes that his 'daughter" is changing very quickly but refuses to tell her anything of her past. In spite of her own feelings for Marius, Eponine sadly brings him to Cosette and then prevents an attempt by her father's gang to rob Valjean's house. Valjean, convinced it was Javert who was lurking outside his house, tells Cosette they must prepare to flee the country. On the eve of the revolution the students and Javert see the situation from their different viewpoints; Cosette and Marius part in despair of ever meeting again; Eponine mourns the loss of Marius; and Valjean looks forward to the security of exile. The Thenardiers, meanwhile, dream of rich pickings underground from the chaos to come.

The students prepare to build the barricade. Marius, noticing that Eponine has joined the insurrection, sends her with a letter to Cosette, which is intercepted at the Rue Plumet by Valjean. Eponine decides, despite what he has said to here, to rejoin Marius at the barricade.

The barricade is built and the revolutionaries defy an army warning that they must give up or die. Gavroche exposes Javert as a policy spy. In trying to return to the barricade Eponine is shot and killed. Valjean arrives at the barricades in search of Marius. He is given the chance to kill Javert, but instead lets him go.

The students settle down for a night on the barricade and, in the quiet of the night, Valjean prays to God to save Marius from the onslaught which is to come. The next day, with ammunition running low, Gavroche runs out to collect more and is shot. The rebels are all killed, including their leader, Enjolras.

Valjean escapes into the sewers with the unconscious Marius. After meeting Thenardier, who is rubbing the corpses of the rebels, he emerges into the light only to meet Javert once more. he pleads for time to deliver the young man to a hospital. Javert decides to let him go and, his unbending principles of justice having been shattered by Valjean's own mercy, he kill himself by throwing himself into the swollen River Seine. A number of Parisian women come to terms with the failed insurrection and its victims. unaware of the identity of his rescuer, Marius recovers in Cosette's care. Valjean confesses the truth of his past to Marius and insists that after the young couple are married, he must go away rather than taint the sanctity and safety of their union. At Marius and Cosette's wedding the Thenardiers try to black mail Marius. Thenardier says Cosette's "father" is a murderer and, as proof, produces a ring which he stole from the corpse in the sewers the night the barricades fell. It is Marius' own ring., and he realizes it was Valjean who rescued him that night. He and Cosette go to Valjean, where Cosette learns for the first time of her own history before the old man dies, joining the spirits of Fantine, Eponine, and all those who died on the barricades.

Bishop Myriel in Les Miserables had a nightly habit of reading religious texts and praying before going to bed. This practice was part of his devout and charitable nature, as well as his commitment to living a life guided by his faith.

Cravatte, a former convict who was reformed by M. Myriel's kindness, later returned the favor by helping Jean Valjean, another ex-convict, change his ways and start a new life. This act of compassion and redemption demonstrates the impact of M. Myriel's benevolence on those who have faced adversity.

"Les Miserables" conforms to the definition of Romanticism through its emphasis on emotion, individualism, and the portrayal of social injustices. The novel explores themes of love, passion, and idealistic aspirations, all central aspects of Romantic literature. Additionally, Victor Hugo's evocative descriptions and focus on the struggles of the common people reflect the Romantic emphasis on the power of nature and the importance of human experience.

starts in 1815, then moves to 1823, then ends 1842 (or 1832. some say 32, others 42)

Haha nice question. It sounds weird, but actually all singers with good teachers are *taught* to sing that way. That way, you don't sing with an obnoxious childish or country accent, because accents are always exaggerated when singing. Even if you don't think you sing that way, unless you sing with a bit of a British accent, your vowels tend to sound bad and/or cause you to go sharp or flat, ruining the piece.

When I was in choir, the teachers called it "tall vowels," but they said it like: Towl vahwels. Make your mouth tall and in an O shape: that's what they had us do. :) No lie.

Jean Valjean tells Cosette that they must forgive the Tenardiers because he believes in the power of forgiveness and compassion. He wants to teach Cosette that holding onto anger and resentment only perpetuates negativity, and that forgiveness can lead to inner peace and healing. Valjean also understands that carrying hatred only brings suffering to oneself, and he wants Cosette to embody love and understanding.

"Les Misérables" received mixed reactions from French audiences upon its release in 1862. Some praised Victor Hugo's novel for its social commentary and emotional impact, while others criticized its length and melodramatic elements. Overall, the book became a classic of French literature and has been adapted into numerous successful films, musicals, and plays.

Jean Valjean is despondent after Cosette's wedding because he feels like he is losing her to Marius, who is now her husband. He also realizes that he is growing older and that his presence in Cosette's life will soon diminish as she starts her new life with Marius. Additionally, he struggles with the idea that he may no longer be needed or have a purpose now that Cosette has someone else to take care of her.

Several characters die in Les Miserables, including Fantine, Eponine, Gavroche, and Jean Valjean. Each death serves as a significant moment in the story, highlighting themes of sacrifice, redemption, and the consequences of societal injustices.

No, Jean Valjean is a fictional character created by French author Victor Hugo in his novel "Les Misérables." He is a central character in the novel and is known for his struggles with justice, redemption, and his pursuit by Inspector Javert.

The character in the red vest from Les Misérables is Enjolras. He is the leader of the student revolutionaries in the story, and his unwavering dedication to the cause inspires those around him. He plays a pivotal role in the climactic events of the musical.

Jean Valjean is the man whom the book is based on, however because he has such love for his adopted daughter Cosette, she has become the central advertising character as seen specifically on posters.

From the tenacious Inspector Javert to the street urchin Gavroche, this story has pretty much every human being wrapped up. The aristocrats, the middle-class, the lower, the homeless, and the thieves. It also tells the story of the 1832 revolution and describes the unpleasant side of Paris. The novel is in essence a plea for humane treatment of the poor and for equality among all citizen.

Learn the Confrontation song from Les Miserables. Youtube it!

Abbe Mabeuf is a character in Victor Hugo's novel "Les Misérables." He is a poor, elderly churchwarden who takes care of flowers in the churchyard. Mabeuf is a kind and gentle character who becomes involved in the student uprising.

Victor Hugo uses coincidence in Les Miserables to heighten the drama and intensity of the story. Coincidences in the novel often serve as plot devices that bring characters together or drive the narrative forward. By incorporating coincidences, Hugo adds a sense of unpredictability and fate to the story, allowing for unexpected connections and resolutions to occur.