Victor Hugo

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the French author, Victor Hugo, and compares him to the protagonist of the literary work, "Les Miserables". The paper contends that Hugo parallels many of the qualities of Jean Valjean, the main character in "Les Miserables". The paper examines the social consciousness displayed in many of Hugo's novels, claiming that it is evidence of the conscience developed over a lifetime of involvement in politics and revolutionary thought.

From the Paper:

"Hugo used his literary power to influence political thinking of his time, as well as to raise consciousness regarding the poor, children and other victims of the political upheaval caused by the French Revolution. The author has come to represent the literary movement of French Romanticism. This movement, with its imagination, subjectivity, freedom of thought, and idealization of nature fused itself well with Hugo's humanistic and somewhat rebellious personality. Together with this Hugo's political views leaned towards social liberty, which he combined in his idealism, and he saw 1830 as the year marking the emergence of both (Kirjasto). Hugo and his contemporaries, like many today, saw the role of the artist as social commentator and director. Hugo fulfilled this role admirably by adhering to the political views he held even in the face of significant political opposition. He shows his strongly principled character by never shying away from subject matter that may prove socially and politically inflammatory. The same strong principles can be seen in Jean Valjean, the main character of Les Miserables."

More papers on Victor Hugo:

• Essay # 137804 : "Analyzing Jean Valjean’s Central Importance as the Symbol of the French Penal System and Social Justice in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo"
• Book Review # 112202 : "Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables"
• Analytical Essay # 24020 : "Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables"

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