In my book, Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, the author begins telling us the story of man named M. Myriel, describing him under the title of "A Just Man". Hugo details the story of how this man ended up becoming the renowned bishop of a town by the name of D---- (Hugo doesn't explicitly state the names of the main cities in his novel, probably so that the reader is not tempted to check the historical accuracy of the events, but rather view them as a separate piece of history). Hugo then describes the extreme selflessness of this man, who the townspeople end up calling "Monseigneur Bienvenu" because of the extent of his generosity.
Hugo goes into great detail about this man, but surprisingly enough, this character doesn't even make it past the first-tenth of the book. Rather, the focus is shifted towards a character named Jean Valjean, a galley slave who has recently been freed from his 17-year sentence in prison. Jean Valean meets M. Myriel and is originally seen as a sort of minor character who although pitiable, was an ideal "foil" of M. Myriel, possesing a deeply ingrained hatred of society and mankind as opposed to M. Myriel's love and care for society. Yet the incredible detail Hugo attributes to (what can be seen as) the sub-plot of M. Myriel helps the reader understand the extent in which he is able to impact our protagonist Jean Valjean. M. Myriel shows Jean Valjean extreme compassion, accepting him into his house, feeding him, offering him his most prized possession, and saving him from arrest officers, on terms that Jean Valjean turns his life around and follows the path of God. After rejection from every house and every Tavern in D---, this profoundly impacts Jean Valjean, and our knowledge of the story of M. Myriel helps the reader see exactly how and why.
Almost all the life and actions of Jean Valjean in the rest of the book seem to be directly caused by the effect of M. Myriel on him. By using this tactic of emphasizing a sub-plot in great detail then tying it back into the main plot, Hugo is able to vastly increase the emotional and literary depth of his story and progress the plot and show character changes in ways that most authors are unable to. He uses this interesting technique several times in the text-- almost every time he introduces a major character. In fact, he uses this technique three times (so far, at the point where I am in the story) to describe the protagonist, once as "Jean Valjean", once as "a stranger saving a child", and once as "Monsieur Madeleine", showing the reader different perspectives of the same character and increasing the reader's understanding of him/her.
This seems like a really interesting book. I like the idea of a subplot, this is the first I have heard of it, and I think it shows the depth and structure Victor Hugo used to really get different perspectives of his story.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your post, thank you.
Visha V. Period 3
Why did M. Myriel take in Jean? What is their relationship in the story?
ReplyDeleteThe book seems interesting. By the way you described the author's style of writing, it seems to be a unique piece of writing.
-Rachel V.
I absolutely love Les Miserables, but I am wondering if you think the play is a bit better since there is music and such? BTW you have a very sophisticated style of writing I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMiriam Rizk ^^^
ReplyDeleteThank you all! So far, the book has been amazing and I highly recommend it, it's a great read.
ReplyDeleteThe story of M. Myriel shows his extreme generosity and care for any soul who is in need of aid, and the subplot elaborates on the point so well, that the idea of him providing for Jean Valjean, a convict who is notably and infamously dangerous and of no relation to M. Myriel at all, isn't strange to him at all. The enormous care is just part of his nature. After Valjean departs, you can describe the relation as that of a teacher and his disciple, as M. Myriel becomes a role model and the ideal figure for Jean Valjean.
Unfortunately, I've never seen the play, so I wouldn't be able to give me opinion on which is better. =/ I would imagine that the play wouldn't have quite the same appeal, especially considering the enormous and vivid details Hugo attributes to his descriptions of character, setting, mind-state, etc. but that would also be affected by how well the play is executed and the playwright's interpretation of the story.
-Yahya H.
Since the book does have a subplot, does Hugo go back and forth between the sub and main plot? I like the idea of a subplot allowing the reader to be more in touch with the message of the story.
ReplyDelete-Secada C.