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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 thief pounces on Jean Valjean in Book IV of Part IV – Saint Denis?

2. Before he learns Cosette’s name, Marius refers to her as what nickname in Part III – Marius?

3. What is the title of Book VIII in Part III – Marius?

4. How old is Marius Pontmercy’s grandfather in Book II of Part III – Marius?

5. Where did the Canut revolt take place in December of 1831?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Gavroche go about helping two homeless children in Book VI of Part IV – Saint Denis? Who are these children?

2. What does Gavroche do at the end of Book IV of Part IV – Saint Denis? Who benefits from Gavroche’s action?

3. How does Marius inject himself into the lives of Cosette and Valjean in Book V of Part IV – Saint Denis?

4. What does Marius think about Cosette after finding what he believes to be her handkerchief in Book VI of Part III – Marius?

5. How is Marius led to Cosette’s whereabouts in Book VIII of Part III – Marius?

6. How is the outbreak of the June Rebellion described in Book X of Part IV – Saint Denis?

7. Who raised Marius Pontmercy? How is this character described in Book II of Part III – Marius?

8. What attack does Gavroche witness in Book IV of Part IV – Saint Denis? What is the outcome of the conflict?

9. What leads to conflict between Jean Valjean and Cosette in Book III of Part IV – Saint Denis?

10. What information does Eponine leak to Marius about Cosette in Book II of Part IV – Saint Denis?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the characteristics that generally compose a “protagonist” in narrative literature and examine how these qualities apply to the character of Jean Valjean. How does the narrator describe Valjean’s state of mind as he enters Digne in the beginning of the novel? What major change does Valjean undergo in Les Miserables?

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

Analyze and discuss the author’s use of a third-person omniscient narrator in Les Miserables. Why do you think the narrator chose this perspective? What are the advantages of this narrative style? What are the disadvantages?

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