Victor Hugo Info

What year was Victor Hugo born?

1802

Where was Victor Hugo born?

Besançon, city in France

At what age did he start writing? What was his first accomplishment?

Age 16, "il est récompensé par le roi," the king likes his writing and poetry

When did he publish "Odes et Poésies Diverses"

1822

Who was his wife?

Adèle Foucher

How many kids did they have?

4

What was his group of ideologues called? What theatre movement where they part of?

Les Jeunes Écrivains Français, romantics

Romantiques vs. Classiques disagreement

Romantics liked theatre that was modern and free

Classics wanted normal theatre and valued good taste

Which play did Hugo write that set off this conflict, and which year?

"Hernani," 1830

When did his daughter die and what was her name?

Léopoldine, 1843

Novel, poem, and play that he wrote between 1830 and 1843 that are mentioned in the text

Roman: Notre-Dame de Paris (1831)

Pièce de Théâtre: Ruy Bas (1838)

Poème: Les Feuilles d'Automne (1831)

What kind of politician did he become?

Royalist

2 things he was against, 2 things he advocated for

Against: poverty and death penalty

For: freedom and education for all

Who was his political opponent who exiled him?

Napoleon III, grandson of Napoleon Bonaparte

When, where, and for how long was Hugo exiled?

1851 for 8 years until 1870 in the English island of Guernsey (French Guernesey)

What books did he write during exile and when were they published?

Les Châtiments (1853), Les Miserables, both published in 1862

What was the attitude of the people towards him when he returned?

They all loved him

When did Hugo die, and how old was he?

1885, 83 years old

Where was he buried?

French monument in Paris "le Panthéon" where many great men are buried

Poverty discussed in Fantine

Poverty in the lives of people who had to leave the countryside to work in factories in bad conditions

How long did they work?

10-12 hours with little rest

Why was life especially hard for women like Fantine?

They were payed less and often couldn't watch their kids, like Fantine who has to give her daughter Cosette to strangers, the Thenardiers

What did Victor Hugo think was the cause of crime?

Poverty and a need to survive, ie. Jean Valjean stealing bread

What is the message of the novel?

"L'idée principale des Misérables, c'est que la société est injuste, que la justice est mauvaise et que seules la pitié et la bonté peuvent corriger cette injustice."

--> Society is unjust, that the justice/legal system is corrupt, and that only pity and kindness can correct this injustice."