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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. How much money does Marius attempt to give Eponine for her information about Cosette in Book II of Part IV – Saint Denis?

2. Cosette spends her time in Book III of Part IV – Saint Denis longing for the young man from where?

3. Where did the insurgents in the Paris Uprising of 1832 make their stronghold?

4. What is Book IV’s title in Part IV – Saint Denis?

5. The street urchin named Gavroche in Part III – Marius is actually whose son?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What historical event is described in Book I of Part IV – Saint Denis? What consequences of this event does the narrator point out?

3. What does Marius learn about his father from Mabeuf in Book III of Part III – Marius? How does this information affect Marius?

4. What leads to the disappearance of Cosette and Valjean in Book VI of Part III – Marius?

5. How does Gavroche help the revolutionaries in Book X of Part IV – Saint Denis?

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

7. How does the narrator describe Marius’s progression in school in Book V of Part III – Marius? What is his financial situation like?

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

9. How is the setting of “The House on Rue Plumet” described in Book III of Part IV – Saint Denis?

10. What internal conflict does Marius face in Book VIII of Part III – Marius? How is the conflict resolved?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Transformation in Les Miserables

a. Discuss the theme of transformation in the novel. How does transformation apply to Jean Valjean through the narrative? Does Valjean transform for the better or worse?

b. How does the theme of transformation apply to Javert’s character in Les Miserables? Does Javert emerge from his transformation? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

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