Study on the Humanism in Les Miserabls: Transformation of Character from Vice to Virtue
Abstract

In the turn of 18th century and 19th century, Western world faced the most important change in the history. The Bourgeois Revolution swept the whole Europe. After French Revolution, not only did the society change, but also raised the Romantic Thoughts in French literature. In the battle of Romanism and pseudoclassism, Humanism, the core of Romanism, is also accepted by many scholars. Victor Hugo, who is one of the most famous literary giant in France, is also the pioneer of Romanism Movement, and shows his agreement and support to humanism in his works.

This thesis chose one of Victor Hugo’s famous novels, which is praised as a masterpiece of world literature, Les Miserables, as the basic of thesis. Thesis will discuss Hugo’s humanism by analyzing two protagonists’ transformation of characters from vice to virtue. First of all, thesis analyzes Bishop Myriel, who is the embodiment of humanism modeled by Hugo. With the influence of Bishop Myriel, Jean Valjean would repent and regret, then make a decision to be an honest man and atone for his crime. then, thesis separately expound the reason why Jean Valjean changed a hatred criminal form a common person and the process of Jean Valjean become a embodiment of humanism from a demon under Bishop Myriel’s influence. Secondly, thesis discusses process of another protagonist’s change, that how Javert find his humanity and suicide at last. Finally, according to the transformation of two protagonists’ character, thesis analyzes the undiminished shine of humanity of populace in the bottom of society and under hard life condition. It also analyzes how Hugo shows the thoughts of humanism in this novel.

The result of this thesis will be a supplement to the literature on humanism and be able to provide some reference for the further study of this novel.

Key words: Les Miserables, Victor Hugo, Humanism, transformation of charact