. The Role of Love and Sacrifice in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo (1862)

Expanding the Roles:
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo is an epic tale of redemption, love, and sacrifice, following characters like Jean Valjean, Fantine, and Javert in post-revolutionary France. The novel explores themes of justice, social inequality, and the redemptive power of love and compassion. For literature students, Les Misérables offers a profound commentary on the human capacity for change, the complexities of moral decision-making, and the impact of personal sacrifice.

• Love and Self-Sacrifice:
  The novel emphasizes the importance of love and self-sacrifice, particularly through the characters of Valjean and Fantine. Literature students can explore how Hugo portrays these characters’ willingness to sacrifice their own happiness for the well-being of others.

• Redemption and Moral Transformation:
  Valjean’s journey from a hardened criminal to a compassionate benefactor highlights the novel’s focus on redemption. Students can analyze how Hugo uses Valjean’s transformation to explore the moral complexities of forgiveness and the power of personal growth.

What We Learn:
Les Misérables provides literature students with valuable lessons in the power of love, sacrifice, and redemption. The novel examines how compassion can lead to moral transformation and how personal choices can affect both the individual and society.