Book 1

Allusion

- a reference to a person, place, poem, book, even, etc. which is not a part of the story that the author expects the reader will recognize

Antagonist -

the person or force that is in conflict with or opposes the  protagonist

Idealism

behavior or thought based on a vision of things as they ought to be rather than as they really are

Protagonist -

the central or main character in a story around whom the plot centers

Realism -

a literary movement that has at its core the depiction of life as it really is with no attempt to hide or gloss over the problems, hardships, or ugliness of life

Romanticism -

an 18th and 19th century literary movement that is frequently characterized by the follow : a depiction of emotion and imagination, a depiction of the beauties of nature

Formidable -

alarming, frightening

Garret -

a loft

Promenade -

a public walkway as in a park

Throng -

a large crowd

Collated -

gathered

Injunctions -

orders

Prefect -

a chief administrative official 

Affliction -

a burden

Asylum -

refuge

Cure-

a parish priest

Moroseness -

cheerlessness

Pruner

- a tree trimmer

Sullen -

angry

Papers-

citizenship papers, official documents, stating one’s citizenship and social status required to be carried at all times

Remonstrated -

protested

Timorous -

fearful or nervous

Perdition -

the state of spiritual ruin

Affable -

friendly

Anchorite -

a person living in self impose a religious seclusion, a hermit

Prodigious -

extraordinary, enormous, abnormal

Malefactors -

criminals

Edifice -

a large complex system of organization in the case; Jean Valjean’s complex persona

Assizes -

periodic trials held by a high court

Augury-

foreshadowing

Brigandage -

thievery

Denegations -

contradictions

Restoration -

following Napoleon’s rule, the period of France’s history during which Napoleon’s conquests were reversed, Europe was returned to its pre 1789 state and France itself attempted to correct governmental and societal faults (mainintaining comfort for the rich and misery for the poor)

Abased -

humiliated

Pernicious -

ruinous

The novel opens with a raggedy dirty travler, Jean Valjean, entering the town of D-. How does the traveler first experience prejudice?

The traveller is Jean Valjean and he experiences prejudice when the people of the town immediately distrust him upon first sight due to his ragged, dirty, and unkempt appearance (also the fact he is a convict). The innkeepers refuse to house him and the children throw stones at him.

What does Jean Valjean mean when he exclaimed, “ I am not even a dog!”

He is saying that he is being treated worse than a dog even (subhuman) even though he is human because even a dog will not house him

What is the relationship between the prefect and the mayor, and what statement does Victor Hugo make through this situation?

Antagonistic and Adversaries

The prefect and the mayor did not like one another and hoped to injure or harm the other. Victor Hugo says that it's up to a wise person to protect themselves and be their own police.

Describe the Bishop’s character, citing his words and actions, as well as what others say about him.

In a list of character traits choose the positive one 

Ex) humble, human, generous, compassionate, kind

Scenes- lets Jean Valjean stay with him in his house despite knowing he is an ex convict, treats him with respect by calling him Monsieur and doesn’t ask for money

How many years did Jean Valjean spend in prison and why was his sentence lengthened?

19 years totals, 5 years initially but lengthened because of his escape attempts

What effect did the galleys have on Jean Valjean?

Hardened Jean Vajean and turned from a weak and shuddering man into a sullen and rough one

What is the significance of the following quote?

“Liberation is not deliverance. A convict may leave the galles behind, but not his condemnation”

Shows how merely escaping prison is not true freedome and that the crimes they committed are not forgtten and when they reenter society they are judged by their crimes

People are judged by their past and their actions will follow them

When the gendarmes return Jean Valjean to the bishop, what is Monseigneur bienvenu’s response?

He covers for him and asks why Jean did not take the candlesticks he had given him along with the silverware

What do the following words, spoken by the bishop, represent?

“Jean Valjean, my bother, you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is youe soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!”

Restoration, rebirth

A change that occurred in Jean Valjean due to the Bishop’s kindness 

Explain the allusion used to explain the size of the chains in the following quote.
“Under the axle- tree hung festooned a huge chain fit for a goliath of the galleys”

A biblical reference to a giant which shows the massive chains for the convicts

What does Fantine ask of Madame Thenardier and why does she make this request?

Keep Cosette for her because she would be able to find a job in the country with a child with her

Under what condition do the Thenardiers agree to Fantine’s request?

Pay monthly seven francs, and fifteen francs extra for first expenses as well as the child’s wardrobe

What is Jean Valjean’s new identity? How does he successfully assume a new name?

Father Madeleine after he saved two kids from a fire who were the children of the captain of the Gendarnerl they did not ask for his passport 

What one man distursts Monsieur Madeleine? How does Monsieur Madeleine react to this man?

Javert; treats him with kindness

Who is Father Fauchelevent and what is his opinion of Monsieur Madeleine?

An old business man who is in competition with Jean Valjean, one of the enemies of Mageleine and jealous of his success, tried to injure him

Fell under his cart and was saved by Jean Valjean

Monsieur Madeleine experiences a strong internal conflict after his meeting with JAvert. He ponders “To rmain in paradise and there become a demon! To re-enter into hell and there become an angel!” What is the meaning of this quote, and what does Monsieur Madeleine decide?

Explains how paradies is living as a mayor successfully bu letting an innocent man go to jail under his identity (demon) and hell is returning to the Galleys but saving an innocent man (angel)

Decides to re enter hell and become an angel

What are the charges made against Jean Valjean?

Charged for theft of apples and robbing Petit Gervais

How does javert represent his cruel treatment of the criminal? What metaphore does Victor Hugo use to accentuate this social problem?

Compared to a wild or ferocious beast or animal and no respect for ciminals, demeans him, and drags him by his collar

Shows social inequality in the class system

What has Monsieur Madeleine promised Fantine? 

To bring Cosette back home to her

What is the significance of Sister Simplice’s lie?

She never lied in her life but is forced to to protect innocent people, sometimes morality is more important than the law and the law does not always protect righteous people

How do the people of M-sur M- respond to Monsieur Madeleine’s arrest? What can be implied from this?

All but a handful pof people abandon hill shows a shallow society and how the people never truly cared from him and just wanted his money