Why Does Les Miserables matter today?
Les Miserables is set in early nineteenth century France, but its themes are still relevant. There are still poor people today, there is still injustice in the world, there is still romance. But its relevance goes much further than that. Nation building (ever heard of Iraq?) The great political themes of the book are the monarchy versus the Bonapartists versus the republicans. Or put in modern language, traditional tyrants versus strong progressive leaders versus democracy. Or put in even more modern language, we can apply it to the Middle East. It’s “one party” Arab leaders versus western armies versus what the people would vote for – usually local religious leaders. What is the right answer? Each side can make a powerful case. Crime and punishment Les Miserables is a powerful argument to see the villain’s point of view. When California passed the famous “three strikes law,” a California state appellate judge compared one case to Jean Valjean’s sentence. Hugo is not saying that every
