The Beauty and Anguish of Les Misérables! (feat. Lindsay Ellis) | PBS Digital Studios

Les Misérables, a French national treasure, has inspired numerous adaptations and remains a cultural icon. The novel's appeal lies in its exploration of themes like justice, revolution, and human suffering, influenced by Victor Hugo's evolving ideology. Set against the backdrop of the 1832 Paris Uprising, the story highlights the complexities of revolution and the enduring struggle for equality. Despite its historical context, the novel's message of fighting injustice remains relevant. The video also recommends the PBS adaptation of Les Misérables.

What is the primary reason Les Misérables is considered a French national treasure?

• Its depiction of the French Revolution

• Its rediscovery decades after its release

• Its association with the 1985 stage musical

• Its status as a lost treasure

How did Victor Hugo's upbringing influence his ideological beliefs?

• He was indifferent to political ideologies

• He was influenced solely by his father's beliefs

• His parents' differing political views exposed him to both royalist and republican ideologies

• He was raised in a strictly republican family

During which historical event is Les Misérables set?

• The Restoration of the Monarchy in 1830

• The Paris Uprising of 1832

• The Napoleonic Wars

• The French Revolution of 1789

What is a common misconception about the setting of Les Misérables?

• It depicts the Napoleonic Wars

• It focuses on the Restoration of the Monarchy

• It is about the French Revolution

• It is set during the Paris Uprising of 1832

How does Hugo portray poverty in Les Misérables?

• As a romanticized and simplified view

• As a resolved issue by the end of the story

• As a realistic depiction of the struggles of the poor

• As a minor theme in the novel

Which character in Les Misérables is known for having a heart of gold?

• Cosette

• Fantine

• Marius

• Jean Valjean

What is the main takeaway from Les Misérables regarding social justice?

• Injustice is a resolved issue in modern times

• The fight against injustice is ongoing and unresolved

• Revolution is unnecessary for social change

• Social justice is a minor theme in the novel