Les Miserables Lesson Plan

Why does Hugo spend so much time describing Paris in the first two chapters of today's reading?

The first two chapters in this section are examples of the lush characterization that has made Les Misérables such a classic.

In chapter 1, Hugo describes the activities and characteristics of the street urchin in great detail, using this as a launching pad to meditate on the grandeur and depravity of France in general. This summary conveys the main point of these musings, and takes special note of their connection to the main events of the plot.

Discuss the characterization of Monsieur Gillenormand.

Monsieur Gillenormand is a complex but relatable...