View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Fauchelevent tells the nuns that Jean Valjean is his brother named what in Book VIII of Part II – Cosette?

2. Where in France does the novel begin in Book I of Part I – Fantine?

3. Why was Jean Valjean’s prison sentence extended?

4. How many years have passed since Jean Valjean’s first encounter with M. Myriel in Book III of Part I – Fantine?

5. By what year does the narrator say in Book VII of Part II – Cosette that there are no new recruits and the nuns of the convent begin to die off?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Bishop Myriel impress upon Jean Valjean when he gives him the candlesticks in Book II of Part I – Fantine? How does Valjean react?

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

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

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

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

6. What was the significance of the Battle of Waterloo for the French, according to the narrator in Book I of Part II – Cosette?

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

8. What does Bishop Myriel tell Jean Valjean about his suffering in Part I – Fantine?

9. How is Fantine’s position in society described when she is introduced in Part I – Fantine?

10. Who does Jean Valjean meet in the garden in Book V of Part II – Cosette? Where has he met this character before?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Describe and discuss the following four characters from Book I – Fantine: Tholomyès, Listolier, Fameuil, and Blacheville. What is each character’s relationship to the others? How would you describe their financial situations? What are the characters studying?

Essay Topic 3

Plot Structure

a. Discuss the plot structure of Les Miserables. In what ways is the narrative related and what effect does this have on the reader?

b. How does Les Miserables compare with other novels written during this time period? Are there specific stylistic elements that can be seen in Victor Hugo’s writing?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 883 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample