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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the title of Book II of Part II – Cosette?

2. What is the title of Book III in Part I – Fantine?

3. What is the first thing that Fantine sells in order to make money when she becomes desperate after losing her job at the factory?

4. Whom does Fantine beg to look after her daughter as she seeks work in Part I – Fantine?

5. By what nickname does Jean Valjean become known when he stays at the Gorbeau House in Book IV of Part II – Cosette?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Jean Valjean escape from the dead-end alleyway in Book V of Part II – Cosette?

2. Where does Cosette meet Jean Valjean in Book III of Part II – Cosette? What are her impressions of him?

3. What tips Javert off to Jean Valjean’s trail in Book IV of Part II – Cosette?

4. What is related in the newspaper article concerning the Orion in Book II of Part II – Cosette?

5. How does Jean Valjean respond to the advice of Bishop Myriel in Book II of Part I – Fantine? Where do his actions lead him?

6. What does the author comment on regarding monasticism in Book VII of Part II – Cosette?

7. How is the history of Petit-Picpus described in Book VI of Part II – Cosette?

8. How has Jean Valjean changed after he’s been out of prison for two years in Part I – Fantine? How does Jean Valjean first encounter Fantine?

9. What internal conflict does Jean Valjean face in Book VI of Part I – Fantine? How does he resolve the conflict?

10. What leads to Jean Valjean’s epiphany in Book II of Part I – Fantine? What does he realize?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze and discuss the shifts in the narrative style of Les Miserables. Where in the novel does the author step out of the action to provide commentary on politics, culture, history, and opinion? How do Hugo’s digressions affect you as a reader? How do these chapters stand in relation to the plot?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the character of Marius Pontmercy in Les Miserables. How old is Marius when he is introduced in the novel? Who raised Marius? What are his feelings about his father?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss Jean Valjean’s rescue of Cosette in Book III of Part II – Cosette. How much money does he agree to give the Thénardiers? Why? How does Jean Valjean respond when the Thénardiers attempt to stop him from taking Cosette after he’s paid them?

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