Les Misérables (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Victor Hugo
- First Published: 1862
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Social realism
- Time of Work: 1815-1835
- Setting: France
- Genres: Long fiction, Social realism
- Subjects: Justice, Revolutionaries, France or French people, Suicide, Police, Nineteenth century, Mistaken or secret identity, Obsession, Illegitimacy, Theft, Orphans or orphanages, Atonement
- Locales: Paris, France
Characters Discussed
Jean Valjean (zhah[n] vahl- ZHAH[N]), a convict of unusual strength, originally sentenced to five years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s starving family. Attempts to escape have kept him in the galleys for nineteen years before he is released in 1815. Police Inspector Javert is sure he will be back, for his passport, proclaiming him an ex-convict, keeps him from getting work. He stops at the home of the bishop of Digne, who treats him well despite Jean’s attempts to rob him of some silverware. Eventually, calling himself Father...
[The entire page is 1675 words long]
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