Art Encounter #2 - Literature
Author: Vitor Hugo 1862
Title: Les Misérables
Type: Fictional Novel
Les Misérables book cover
Victor Hugo by Étienne Carjat, circa 1880
Victor Hugo was representative of the French Romantic Era. According to my research:
“Victor Hugo (1802-1885), novelist, poet, and dramatist, is one of the most important of French Romantic writers. Among his best-known works are The Hunchback of Notre Dame(1831) and Les Misérables(1862).”
I found a brief survey of his poetry to be highly political. Here is a short poem entitled Song, describing the rise and fall of Napoleon in an opinionated and pointed examination.
Song
from: Chatiments
He shines through history like a sun.
For thrice five years
He bore bright victory through the dun
King-shadowed spheres;
Proud Europe 'neath his law of might
Low-bowed the knee.
Thou, poor ape, hobble after aright,
Petit, petit!
Napoleon in the roar of fight,
Calm and serene,
Guided athwart the fiery flight
His eagle keen.
Upon Arcola bridge he trod,
And came forth free.
Come! here is gold; adore thy god,
Petit, petit!
Viennas were his lights-o-love,
He ravished them;
Blithely he seized brave heights above
By the iron hem;
Castles caught he by the curls,
His brides to be:
For thee here are the poor, pale girls.
Petit, petit!
He passed o'er mountains, deserts, plains,
Having in hand
The palm, the lightening, and the reins
Of every land;
Drunken, he tottered on the brink
Of deity.
Here is sweet blood! quick, run to the drink,
Petit, petit!
Then, when he fell, loosening the world,
The abysmal sea
Made wide here depths for him, down-hurled
By Liberty;
Th' archangel plunged from where he stood,
And earth breathed free.
Thou! drown thyself in thy own mud,
Petit, petit!
While this blog is to cover the novel Les Misérables, I think it’s important to understand Hugo’s political motivations and views.
I read Les Misérables last year and it it is now among my favorite novels. I had struggled with this book several times previously, but just couldn’t mentally sync with it. So, the last time I decided to listen to the audio book while following along. It made a huge difference for me because of the French names and places, which had been a stumbling block. The narrator of the audio book was Frederick Davidson, aka David Case. At first, I found his proper British accent affected and annoying. Over time, it was less of a distraction as I allowed the story to take center stage. By the end, I had spent so much time with the narrator, (a whopping 57 hours and 46 minutes), that he seemed like an old friend.
Here is a brief plot summary of the book found on Audible, (you can also hear a sample of David Case narrating):
It really is a combination of a story and history book. If had to choose a style from A Beginner’s Guide to the Humanities, I would say it is one part Romance, given the love story between Cosette and Marius, the hero figure of Jean Valjean, as well as the fatherly love of Valjean toward Cosette. It is another part Historical as Victor Hugo does an excellent job of describing the details of French life during revolution. I have to admit I had a difficult time digesting the more formal historical dissertations, but was completely absorbed during the main storyline. Lastly, it is part Detective story as the sub story between Valjean and Inspector Javert. Javert pursues Valjean throughout the story, determined to send him back to prison. In the end Javert finally understands Valjean and is so conflicted between doing the “right” thing and doing his sworn duty, which is the essence of who he is, he takes his own life.
The beginning of the book was somewhat cumbersome for me, as I adjusted to Hugo’s style of writing but I was completely engaged by the time the character of Jean Valjean enters. I was leery of the long introduction to M. Myriel, the old bishop, thinking this may be the main character. Afterwards, I realized how essential the character of the bishop is. He was the catalyst which allowed the reincarnation of Jean Valjean. The transformation is remarkable, and honestly, almost unbelievable. The introduction of Jean Valjean is of a ex-con who has just been released from prison. His crime was stealing a loaf of bread. Obviously, Hugo is making a statement of the unjust nature of crime and punishment as we are led through the nightmare of Valjean, an otherwise honest man, who finds himself branded a criminal for life and sent into a kind of exodus from the civilized world. He is turned away from place to place as people realize he is a ex-convict until he is sent to see the bishop who literally open his home to Valjean. I say the transformation is almost unbelievable because Valjean is almost seen as an idiot when he is introduced, but later becomes a highly respected and charismatic mayor.
All of the characters, both major and minor are very memorable. For me, I had an odd personal connection with Cosette. For some reason I kept envisioning my youngest daughter as Cosette during her brutal time with the Thénardiers, inn keepers who had taken the illegitimate Cosette in for an ongoing fee from her mother. The Thénardiers had two daughters and Cosette was made to serve the family and was treated cruelly. Another sub story tells the story of Cosette’s mother, Fantine, who’s life dwindles into the dark and unjust corners of humanity. Every decision, ultimately leading to prostitution, is justified through her love and concern for Cosette. The Thénardiers play upon this fear and bilk Fantine of even her dignity when she is forced to sell her hair and teeth. Jean Valjean is partly responsible for the destitution of Fantine, after allowing her to be fired from his factory and this ultimately ties him irrevocably to Cossete.
Cosette is eventually rescued from the Thénardiers by Jean Valjean. The Thénardiers actually sell Cosette to Valjean, without concern for her welfare. They immediately realize they could have requested a larger sum of money and try to undo the agreement, but Valjean escapes with Cosette to Paris.
Here is a scene from the musical, which was adapted from Hugo’s novel, that shows Cosette’s life just before being rescued by Jean Valjean.
I have not seen the musical and would really like to. It is touring right now and I hope to see a scheduled performance in Arizona. It will be at the ASU Gammage Auditorium June 7th through the 12th.
My daughter was kind enough to help me out with a comparison of the famous illustration of Cossette.
Portrait of "Cosette" by Emile Bayard, from the original edition of Les Misérables (1862).
Tatum as “Corsette” by Me (2011).
Originally, I was confused about Les Misérables after watching the 1995 film starring Jean-Paul Belmondo which is summarized in Netflix:
Because I was not familiar with the book or the historical time frame, I actually thought this was the story. I didn’t realize Hugo’s work was the story within a story. I really need to go back and watch the movie again now that I have perspective. I enjoyed it before and I’m sure it would have fresh meaning to me.
After reading the book I watched the most recent theatrical release starring Liam Neeson. I really felt this held fairly true to the story. It had some departures which I understand were likely necessary due to time and audience.
If you’re interested in reading the book, it is available free as a downloadable ebook through the Gutenberg Project. I use the Kindle app on my PC and Android phone. I also use the Audible app on my phone.
Author: Vitor Hugo 1862
Title: Les Misérables
Type: Fictional Novel
Les Misérables book cover
Victor Hugo by Étienne Carjat, circa 1880
Victor Hugo was representative of the French Romantic Era. According to my research:
“Victor Hugo (1802-1885), novelist, poet, and dramatist, is one of the most important of French Romantic writers. Among his best-known works are The Hunchback of Notre Dame(1831) and Les Misérables(1862).”
I found a brief survey of his poetry to be highly political. Here is a short poem entitled Song, describing the rise and fall of Napoleon in an opinionated and pointed examination.
Song
from: Chatiments
He shines through history like a sun.
For thrice five years
He bore bright victory through the dun
King-shadowed spheres;
Proud Europe 'neath his law of might
Low-bowed the knee.
Thou, poor ape, hobble after aright,
Petit, petit!
Napoleon in the roar of fight,
Calm and serene,
Guided athwart the fiery flight
His eagle keen.
Upon Arcola bridge he trod,
And came forth free.
Come! here is gold; adore thy god,
Petit, petit!
Viennas were his lights-o-love,
He ravished them;
Blithely he seized brave heights above
By the iron hem;
Castles caught he by the curls,
His brides to be:
For thee here are the poor, pale girls.
Petit, petit!
He passed o'er mountains, deserts, plains,
Having in hand
The palm, the lightening, and the reins
Of every land;
Drunken, he tottered on the brink
Of deity.
Here is sweet blood! quick, run to the drink,
Petit, petit!
Then, when he fell, loosening the world,
The abysmal sea
Made wide here depths for him, down-hurled
By Liberty;
Th' archangel plunged from where he stood,
And earth breathed free.
Thou! drown thyself in thy own mud,
Petit, petit!
While this blog is to cover the novel Les Misérables, I think it’s important to understand Hugo’s political motivations and views.
I read Les Misérables last year and it it is now among my favorite novels. I had struggled with this book several times previously, but just couldn’t mentally sync with it. So, the last time I decided to listen to the audio book while following along. It made a huge difference for me because of the French names and places, which had been a stumbling block. The narrator of the audio book was Frederick Davidson, aka David Case. At first, I found his proper British accent affected and annoying. Over time, it was less of a distraction as I allowed the story to take center stage. By the end, I had spent so much time with the narrator, (a whopping 57 hours and 46 minutes), that he seemed like an old friend.
Here is a brief plot summary of the book found on Audible, (you can also hear a sample of David Case narrating):
Publisher's Summary
Set in the Parisian underworld and plotted like a detective story, Les Miserables follows Jean Valjean, originally an honest peasant, who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving family. A hardened criminal upon his release, he eventually reforms, becoming a successful industrialist and town mayor. Despite this, he is haunted by an impulsive former crime and is pursued relentlessly by the police inspector Javert.
Hugo describes early 19th-century France with a sweeping power that gives his novel epic stature. Among the most famous chapters are the account of the battle of Waterloo and Valjean's flight through the Paris sewers.
(P)1996 Blackstone Audiobooks
It really is a combination of a story and history book. If had to choose a style from A Beginner’s Guide to the Humanities, I would say it is one part Romance, given the love story between Cosette and Marius, the hero figure of Jean Valjean, as well as the fatherly love of Valjean toward Cosette. It is another part Historical as Victor Hugo does an excellent job of describing the details of French life during revolution. I have to admit I had a difficult time digesting the more formal historical dissertations, but was completely absorbed during the main storyline. Lastly, it is part Detective story as the sub story between Valjean and Inspector Javert. Javert pursues Valjean throughout the story, determined to send him back to prison. In the end Javert finally understands Valjean and is so conflicted between doing the “right” thing and doing his sworn duty, which is the essence of who he is, he takes his own life.
The beginning of the book was somewhat cumbersome for me, as I adjusted to Hugo’s style of writing but I was completely engaged by the time the character of Jean Valjean enters. I was leery of the long introduction to M. Myriel, the old bishop, thinking this may be the main character. Afterwards, I realized how essential the character of the bishop is. He was the catalyst which allowed the reincarnation of Jean Valjean. The transformation is remarkable, and honestly, almost unbelievable. The introduction of Jean Valjean is of a ex-con who has just been released from prison. His crime was stealing a loaf of bread. Obviously, Hugo is making a statement of the unjust nature of crime and punishment as we are led through the nightmare of Valjean, an otherwise honest man, who finds himself branded a criminal for life and sent into a kind of exodus from the civilized world. He is turned away from place to place as people realize he is a ex-convict until he is sent to see the bishop who literally open his home to Valjean. I say the transformation is almost unbelievable because Valjean is almost seen as an idiot when he is introduced, but later becomes a highly respected and charismatic mayor.
All of the characters, both major and minor are very memorable. For me, I had an odd personal connection with Cosette. For some reason I kept envisioning my youngest daughter as Cosette during her brutal time with the Thénardiers, inn keepers who had taken the illegitimate Cosette in for an ongoing fee from her mother. The Thénardiers had two daughters and Cosette was made to serve the family and was treated cruelly. Another sub story tells the story of Cosette’s mother, Fantine, who’s life dwindles into the dark and unjust corners of humanity. Every decision, ultimately leading to prostitution, is justified through her love and concern for Cosette. The Thénardiers play upon this fear and bilk Fantine of even her dignity when she is forced to sell her hair and teeth. Jean Valjean is partly responsible for the destitution of Fantine, after allowing her to be fired from his factory and this ultimately ties him irrevocably to Cossete.
Cosette is eventually rescued from the Thénardiers by Jean Valjean. The Thénardiers actually sell Cosette to Valjean, without concern for her welfare. They immediately realize they could have requested a larger sum of money and try to undo the agreement, but Valjean escapes with Cosette to Paris.
Here is a scene from the musical, which was adapted from Hugo’s novel, that shows Cosette’s life just before being rescued by Jean Valjean.
I have not seen the musical and would really like to. It is touring right now and I hope to see a scheduled performance in Arizona. It will be at the ASU Gammage Auditorium June 7th through the 12th.
My daughter was kind enough to help me out with a comparison of the famous illustration of Cossette.
Portrait of "Cosette" by Emile Bayard, from the original edition of Les Misérables (1862).
Tatum as “Corsette” by Me (2011).
Originally, I was confused about Les Misérables after watching the 1995 film starring Jean-Paul Belmondo which is summarized in Netflix:
“During World War II, illiterate Henri Fortin (Jean-Paul Belmondo) helps Jewish lawyer André Ziman (Michel Boujenah) and his family flee to Switzerland. Along the way, Ziman reads from Les Misérables, and Fortin begins to see himself as the book's hero, Jean Valjean. Victor Hugo's classic novel served as the inspiration for director Claude Lelouch's epic film, winner of the 1996 Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film.”
Because I was not familiar with the book or the historical time frame, I actually thought this was the story. I didn’t realize Hugo’s work was the story within a story. I really need to go back and watch the movie again now that I have perspective. I enjoyed it before and I’m sure it would have fresh meaning to me.
After reading the book I watched the most recent theatrical release starring Liam Neeson. I really felt this held fairly true to the story. It had some departures which I understand were likely necessary due to time and audience.
If you’re interested in reading the book, it is available free as a downloadable ebook through the Gutenberg Project. I use the Kindle app on my PC and Android phone. I also use the Audible app on my phone.
No comments:
Post a Comment