Les Misrables Exam

(Answers in Red)

1. Which characters helped Jean Valjean get his life back together? What actions did
they take?
- Bishop Myriel
- Fantine
- Answers may vary

2. What events caused Mariuss life to change?

- Father dies
- Grandfather kicked him out
- Investigates fathers life
- Meets man in the church
- Answers may vary

3. How does Javerts mindset hinder him? Explain?

- He thinks very black and white
- Blindly follows the law
- Doesnt take his personal feelings into consideration
- Answers may vary

4. How does Jean Valjeans character change after becoming Monsieur Madeleine?
- Cares about others not himself
- Is humble and helpful
- Strives to better himself in the eyes of God
- Answers may vary

5. What is Cosettes response to Jean Valjean taking her in?

- Joyful and thankful
- At first she thinks she has to clean for him
- Quickly becomes a happy playful girl, no longer a slave
- Answers may vary

6. Near the end of the book the setting changes and becomes one of war. Why is that?
- Lasting effects of the French Rev.
- People still rebelling against the government
- Answers may vary
7. Throughout the book the candlesticks given to Valjean by the Bishop are mentioned;
what do they symbolize?
- His promise to be good
- His goal to be right in Gods eyes
- Bishops kindness
- Answers may vary

8. Why does Javert feel the need to chase after Jean Valjean?
- He believes that once someone is a criminal they always will be
- Wants Valjean to pay for what hes done
- Answers may vary

9. Where and when does Les Miserables take place?

- Paris, France 1789

10. Why do Jean Valjean and Cosette move frequently? Where are some places they go?
- Being chased by Javert
- Small towns such as MSur M--

11. How does Victor Hugo connect the reader to the characters?
- Gets inside each characters head
- Vivid descriptions
- Answers may vary

12. Why does Eponine throw herself in front of the soldiers rifle in the barricade?
a. She is suicidal
b. She decides her beliefs are worth more then life
c. She is in love with Marius
d. She wants pity

13. Why does the Bishop Myriel let Jean Valjean stay in his house?
a. He is getting payed
b. Valjean threatened him
c. He wants to treat a fellow man with kindness and respect
d. He wants to convert Valjean to Christianity
14. How does Marius first react to seeing Cosette?
a. Thinks she is homely
b. Falls in love immediately
c. Is scared because of Valjean
d. Walks up to her and strikes a conversation

15. How did Valjeans appearance change after the courtroom incident involving
Chapmathieu?
a. He was beaten and bloody
b. He was happy and free of guilt
c. His hair became snow white
d. He was beheaded

16. What caused Thenardier to become cruel and murderous?

a. He wanted revenge because someone in their family was murdered
b. He was rebelling against the government
c. Was forced into extreme poverty
d. Was abandoned by his family

17. After Javert lets Valjean go, he is torn bewteen following the law or his conscience,
how does he react to this confusion?
a. He lets it go and continues his job
b. He quits his job; unable to work for the government because of his decision to
let Valjean go
c. He jumps off a bridge and commits suicide
d. He confronts and apologizes to Valjean