Love & Compassion
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Throughout the book Love and Compassion is one of the main themes represented. JVJ is the obvious character who represents Love and compassion. JVJ learns how to show love to others when he visits the bishop. The bishop taught JVJ how to show compassion to the poor when he gave him a place to stay and the silver candlesticks. From then on JVJ gave money to the poor and he helped out the people who were suffering on the streets. Also, hr helped Fantine get out of jail when Javert was trying to sentence her, and he ended up later saving her baby.
"Promise to kiss me on the foreheadwhen I am dead. I shall feel it." (Hugo 290).
"Promise to kiss me on the foreheadwhen I am dead. I shall feel it." (Hugo 290).
Self-Sacrifice
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Fantine shows self-sacrifice throughout the novel. When the Thenardiers ask for money from Fantine, she is forced to cut her hair and pull her teeth for money. Fantine earns the money and gives it to the Thernardiers for her baby Cosette. Fantine is forced to sacrifice herself throughout the book for most of her life to support her baby.
"The ball passed through my hand, but it went out through my back. It is useless to take me from here. I will tell you how you can care for me, better than a surgeon. Sit down by me on that stone." (Hugo 288).
"The ball passed through my hand, but it went out through my back. It is useless to take me from here. I will tell you how you can care for me, better than a surgeon. Sit down by me on that stone." (Hugo 288).
Change & Transformation
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JVJ changes dramatically in the book. After the bishop teaches JVJ a lesson he becomes a loving, caring character. JVJ goes from stealing, to giving to everyone who is in need. JVJ helps Fantine especially when he saved her from Javert. JVJ goes from never loving, to being in love with Cosette. JVJ changes from hating society, to feeling compassion for everyone.
"Monsieur Madeleine had became Monsieur the Mayor." (Hugo 52).
"Monsieur Madeleine had became Monsieur the Mayor." (Hugo 52).
Social Injustice
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Social injustice was the first theme to appear in Les Miserables. When JVJ arrived to the town he was immediately criticized by the people. JVJ went to five different places in order to find a place to stay. JVJ even went to a dog kennel and he wasn't accepted there. This theme is also a representation of Fantine's life. When the people found out that Fantine had a baby when she wasn't married, she was fired right away. Fantine is treated poorly base on her background which goes along the theme of social injustice.
"You are going to clar out from here." (Hugo 8).
"You are going to clar out from here." (Hugo 8).
Light and Dark/Shadows
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The motif light and dark mainly shows up when Fantine is living at M__ Sur M__. When Fantine's candle is lit she is always happy and lively, but when the candle goes out she becomes depressed and ugly. The light represents happiness while darkness represents depression. Shadows are also used to help JVJ escape. When JVJ is escaping from Javert shadows "magically" appear. The shadows help JVJ escape form Javert because he always seems to hide in the shadows when Javert and his army are trying to find him.
"The shadows were deepening around Jean Valjean." (Hugo 36).
"The shadows were deepening around Jean Valjean." (Hugo 36).
Gardens
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The motif of gardens always appears when JVJ is around. Gardens represent home and safety for JVJ. For example, when JVJ is escaping from Javert he always seems to end up in a garden. While JVJ was running away from Javert he ended up in a garden and then he was safe there. JVJ also ends up living in a garden with Cosette when he is raising her as a little kid. JVJ works as a pruner while Cosette goes to school with the nuns. The gardens are a safe place to JVJ where he doesn't fear and he feels like he is at home.