Noted Writer Victor Hugo Was Born on February 26, 1802, A Quiz on His Life and Enduring Legacy
February 26 marks the birth anniversary of Victor Hugo, one of France’s greatest writers and a towering figure of European Romanticism. Born in 1802, Hugo’s literary output spanned poetry, drama, criticism, and novels that have become cornerstones of world literature. A quiz on his life and works offers an opportunity to explore the man behind the masterpieces and the enduring relevance of his vision.
The Young Poet and the King
After living in poverty for a year, 20-year-old Hugo secured a pension of 1,000 francs for his book from this King. The book was Odes et Poésies Diverses, a collection of poems that caught the attention of Louis XVIII. The King was so impressed that he granted Hugo a pension, recognizing the young poet’s talent and, perhaps, appreciating the royalist sentiments expressed in some of the verses.
This early patronage was crucial for Hugo. It lifted him out of poverty and gave him the financial stability to pursue his literary ambitions. It also established his reputation in the Parisian literary world, opening doors that might otherwise have remained closed.
The Foundation of French Romanticism
Hugo’s first play, which was never performed in theatre, came out in 1827. The preface to the text is widely considered as the foundation stone of French Romanticism. The text is Cromwell, a historical drama about the English revolutionary leader Oliver Cromwell.
The play itself was too long and complex to be staged, but its preface became a manifesto for the Romantic movement. In it, Hugo argued for the abandonment of the classical unities of time, place, and action that had dominated French theatre for centuries. He called for a drama that mixed tragedy and comedy, the sublime and the grotesque, reflecting the complexity of human experience.
The preface was a declaration of artistic independence, a call for freedom from rigid rules, and an assertion of the artist’s right to follow their own vision. It influenced not just theatre but literature and art across Europe.
Les Misérables in Malayalam
Hugo’s seminal text was translated to Malayalam as Pavangal. The translator was the renowned Malayalam writer and translator, N. K. Damodaran. This translation brought Hugo’s masterpiece to readers in Kerala, demonstrating the universal appeal of a story about justice, redemption, and the struggle for human dignity.
Les Misérables, published in 1862, is perhaps Hugo’s most famous work. It tells the story of Jean Valjean, a former convict who seeks redemption, against the backdrop of social unrest and revolutionary fervour in early 19th-century France. The novel is a sweeping epic that explores themes of law and grace, love and sacrifice, and the possibility of social transformation.
Its translation into Malayalam is a testament to the power of great literature to transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries. Readers in Kerala could identify with Valjean’s struggles, with the poverty and injustice depicted in the novel, because these are universal human experiences.
The 2012 Film Adaptation
The text related to the previous question has been adapted on screen several times. The 2012 film adaptation of the book won several accolades including the Oscar. The film was directed by Tom Hooper, and the character of Madame Thénardier was played by Helena Bonham Carter.
Hooper’s adaptation brought Les Misérables to a new generation, introducing the story to audiences who might never have read the novel. The film’s use of live singing, rather than pre-recorded tracks, gave it an immediacy and emotional power that critics praised.
Helena Bonham Carter’s portrayal of Madame Thénardier, the unscrupulous innkeeper who exploits the orphaned Cosette, was both comic and menacing. She captured the character’s greed, cruelty, and shamelessness, providing a counterpoint to the heroism of Valjean and the villainy of Javert.
William Shakespeare
This essay by Hugo, written in 1864, is a work of literary criticism and examines the literary geniuses of history. Its title is also the name of a very popular English playwright. The essay is titled William Shakespeare.
Hugo’s tribute to Shakespeare was more than literary criticism; it was a meditation on the nature of genius. He placed Shakespeare alongside other greats like Homer, Dante, and Cervantes, arguing that true genius transcends national boundaries and speaks to universal human concerns.
The essay also reflected Hugo’s own concerns as a writer. He saw in Shakespeare a model of artistic freedom, a willingness to break rules and follow his own vision. This resonated with Hugo’s own Romantic sensibilities and his lifelong commitment to artistic independence.
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
Archdeacon Frollo, Captain Phoebus, Pierre Gringoire are characters in this Hugo novel which also prominently features a cathedral. A fire broke out at the cathedral a few years ago and it was subsequently restored. The novel is The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, published in 1831. The cathedral is Notre-Dame de Paris.
The novel is set in medieval Paris and centres on the relationship between Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer of Notre-Dame, and Esmeralda, a beautiful Romani dancer. The cathedral itself is a central character, its architecture and history shaping the lives of those who inhabit its shadows.
When fire devastated Notre-Dame in April 2019, the world watched in horror. The restoration, completed in 2024, was a testament to French craftsmanship and international solidarity. Hugo’s novel, which had helped spark interest in preserving the cathedral in the 19th century, was once again part of its story.
Conclusion: A Legacy That Endures
Victor Hugo died in 1885, but his legacy endures. His works continue to be read, adapted, and discussed. His ideas about justice, freedom, and human dignity remain relevant. His vision of literature as a force for social change continues to inspire writers and readers around the world.
The quiz on Hugo’s life and works is a small tribute to a giant of literature. But it also reminds us that great art speaks across centuries, that the struggles and aspirations of 19th-century France are not so different from our own. Hugo’s voice still speaks to us, urging us to imagine a better world and to fight for it.
Q&A: Unpacking the Victor Hugo Quiz
Q1: What was Hugo’s early breakthrough work and how did it gain royal patronage?
Hugo’s collection Odes et Poésies Diverses impressed King Louis XVIII, who granted him a pension of 1,000 francs. This lifted the 20-year-old Hugo out of poverty and established his reputation. The royalist sentiments in some poems likely appealed to the king, but the quality of the verse was the primary reason for the patronage.
Q2: Why is the preface to Cromwell considered foundational for French Romanticism?
The preface rejected the classical unities of time, place, and action that had dominated French theatre, arguing instead for a drama that mixed tragedy and comedy, the sublime and the grotesque. It was a manifesto for artistic freedom and influenced not just theatre but literature and art across Europe.
Q3: Who translated Les Misérables into Malayalam and under what title?
The renowned Malayalam writer and translator N. K. Damodaran translated Les Misérables as Pavangal. This translation brought Hugo’s masterpiece to readers in Kerala, demonstrating the universal appeal of its themes of justice, redemption, and human dignity across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Q4: Who directed the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables and who played Madame Thénardier?
Tom Hooper directed the 2012 film adaptation, which won several Oscars. Helena Bonham Carter played Madame Thénardier, the unscrupulous innkeeper. The film used live singing rather than pre-recorded tracks, giving it an immediacy and emotional power that critics praised.
Q5: Which Hugo novel features Notre-Dame Cathedral and what recent event brought it back into focus?
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1831) features the cathedral prominently. When fire devastated Notre-Dame in April 2019, the world watched its restoration, completed in 2024. Hugo’s novel, which had helped spark interest in preserving the cathedral in the 19th century, became part of the conversation once again.
