Victor Marie Hugo - one of the most famous writers in France, who influenced the development of the literary movement - romanticism. His works became the property of French culture. The writer himself opposed social inequality, therefore he is also known as a public figure.
Writer's childhood
The parents of the future writer were Joseph Hugo, who became the general of the Napoleonic army, and Sophie Trebuchet - the daughter of a wealthy shipowner and royalist. Victor Marie Hugo had two older brothers. He was born in 1802 in Besancon, and all his childhood passed in moving with his parents. They tried to raise their children in an atmosphere of love, but their parents held different political views. It was thanks to the views of his mother that Hugo adhered to monarchist ideas in his youth.
The Hugo family visited Marseille, Cortica, the Elbe, Italy, Madrid - such frequent travels were associated with the work of the writer’s father. After each move, they returned to Paris. It was these trips that impressed little Victor and laid the foundation for his romantic views. In 1813, his parents divorced, and Victor Marie Hugo stayed with his mother in Paris.
Adolescence
In a brief biography of Victor Marie Hugo, it is noted that from 1814 to 1818 he studied at the Lyceum of Louis the Great. At age 14, he began to write his first works, which he did not publish. The boy devotes one of the tragedies he wrote to his mother, in addition, he writes a drama and translates Virgil. In his first works, Victor Hugo acts as a supporter of classicism. Later, when he becomes a royalist, he will be engaged in the development of romanticism.
At the age of 15, young Hugo receives good feedback at the Academy competition for his poem, and for an ode - a medal. Even in his youth, those around him saw the talent of the future writer. But in addition, the boy had a penchant for exact sciences. And his father really wanted his youngest son to enter the Polytechnic. But young Victor chose literature, thanks to which he became famous throughout the world.
The beginning of literary activity
When the writer reread his manuscripts, he was dissatisfied with their quality: he was sure that he could write more beautiful and elegant. Victor Hugo begins publishing in 1819. From 1819 to 1821, he published an addition to the Catholic magazine with a royalist orientation. In 1819, Hugo wrote the very royalist satire "Telegraph", which drew the attention of readers.
In his published supplement to the magazine, the young man wrote under various pseudonyms. It was thanks to his publishing activities that he gained a reputation as a monarchist.
Edition of the first novel and the beginning of romanticism
In 1822, the writer married Adele Foucher. In this marriage, the couple had five children. In 1923, Victor Hugo published his novel "Gan Icelander", which received a rather restrained reception from the public.
The work received good feedback from Charles Nodier. Thanks to this, an acquaintance took place between them, which grew into a friendship. The writer was not very upset by the criticism of his work - he just decided to work even harder. Soon after the publication, a meeting was held in the library of the Arsenal - it was she who was the cradle of romanticism. After this meeting, the foundations of romanticism began to form in Hugo.
Friendly communication between Victor Hugo and Charles Nodier lasted from 1827 to 1830, because Nodier was increasingly critical of the writer's works. Prior to this, Hugo managed to resume communication with his father and devote a poem to him. In 1828, Joseph Hugo died. Victor Marie writes the play "Cromwell" especially for the famous actor Francois-Joseph Talm and publishes it in 1827. She caused controversy among readers, and in the preface to the play, Hugo wrote that he does not accept the foundations of classicism and decides to write in the direction of romanticism.
Despite the fact that Hugo's works were received coolly by critics, he was a famous figure in the literary environment. The Hugo couple often held receptions in their house to which famous personalities were invited. The writer makes acquaintance with Chateaubriand, Liszt, Berlioz and other artists.
In addition to novels, Hugo writes poetry, and in 1829 and 1834 publishes small novels - "The Last Day of the Sentenced to Death" and "Claude Ge". In them, the writer expresses his negative attitude to the death penalty. During the period from 1826 to 1837, Victor Marie Hugo became the founder of French romanticism.
Les Miserables
This is one of the most famous works of the writer. It is the property of French literature and the pinnacle of his work. The novel Les Miserables by Victor Marie Hugo was published in 1862. In it, the writer addresses important topics for him, such as the rule of law, love, the problem of cruelty and humanity. One of the most famous characters of Victor Marie Hugo is Gavrosh. It symbolized the hopes of the rebels, the young generation. In stories about the children of Victor Marie Hugo, Gavrosh occupied a special place and was perceived by readers as a little hero and a fighter for ideals.
The action of the novel in Les Miserables covers a wide time frame, so this work is a historical drama. The plot constantly sends the reader to important events of that era. In this book, Victor Hugo criticizes the era of the Restoration and the large number of impoverished people. Therefore, his novel is filled with revolutionary and anti-monarchist sentiments.
"Notre Dame Cathedral"
One of the most famous books of Victor Hugo is Notre Dame. This is the first historical novel that was written in French and published in March 1831. The main goal of the writer was to draw attention to the Notre Dame Cathedral and it was he who he wanted to make the main character.
The cathedral in that era either wanted to be demolished or made more modern. After the release of the novel, not only in France but throughout the world, a movement began to preserve and restore Gothic monuments. This work has been filmed and staged by musicals many times, the most popular of which is Notre Dame de Paris, staged in France.
"The man who laughs"
Another famous historical novel by Victor Hugo, written by him in the 60s of the 19th century. The plot unfolds around a boy in whose infancy they were mutilated for the fun of a wealthy public. A boy picks up a blind girl and together they find shelter with a stray actor.
The boy and the girl fell in love and it was a pure bright feeling. But it turns out that he has a title and wealth. In his speech to the nobility, this young man talks about the plight of ordinary people, about inequality in the country. And this novel caused controversy between literary scholars - whether it refers to romanticism or realism.
In his novel, Victor Hugo reflected the questions that worried him about the lost children and the position of the nobility in society. Before the creation of the novel, the writer collected historical information about the period he describes in England.
Reclusiveness
In 1843, a tragedy occurred in the life of Victor Hugo: during the shipwreck, his daughter Leopoldina and her husband died. After that, for some time, he completely ceased to maintain contact with society. Being in such retreat, Victor Hugo began working on a voluminous novel.
But he did not have time to finish the work: in 1848 there was a revolution and the writer began to take an active part in social and political life. But in 1851, Hugo left France and went to Brussels, then to the island of Jersey and the island of Henry. During this difficult period, he wrote the book Napoleon the Small, in which he exposed the dictatorship of the new ruler, Louis Bonaparte, and the satyr in verses - Retribution, which became popular with opponents of Napoleon the Third. In the early 60s of the 19th century, Hugo returned to writing his voluminous novel, which became known in the world as “Les Miserables”.
Theater work
In the period from 1830 to 1843 he worked almost exclusively for the theater. Also during this period, most of the poems of Victor Marie Hugo were written. His play, which he directed back in 1829, caused controversy between representatives of the old and new in art.
In all his plays, Hugo described conflicts between the nobility and ordinary people. Sometimes this conflict seemed intentionally exaggerated in order to attract the attention of readers. Some of his plays were even removed from shows, but then they were again returned to the repertoire.
The artistic talent of the writer and his friendship with painters
Victor Hugo was also engaged in drawing. He began drawing at the age of 8 years. Now his works are in private collections and are still highly valued at auctions. Most of his works were written between 1848 and 1851 with ink and pencils.
Delacroix told Victor Hugo that he would become a famous artist and surpass many modern painters. The writer maintained acquaintance with many famous artists and illustrators. Boulanger admired Hugo so much that he created a large number of portraits with people gathered around him.
Boulanger liked to draw on fantastic themes inspired by reading Hugo's poems. The most famous illustrator of the writer's works is the artist Emil Bayard.
Political career and the last years of the writer’s life
Victor Hugo was not only a famous writer, but also a public figure. He was against social inequality and adhered to royalist views. In 1841, Hugo became a member of the French Academy.
In 1845, the writer began a political career and this year he became a peer in France. In 1848, he became a member of the National Assembly, in the meetings of which he participated until 1851. Victor Hugo did not support the new revolution and the election of the new ruler of Napoleon the Third. Because of this, the writer was expelled from France. He returned only in 1870, and in 1876 he became a senator.
His return was due to the fact that Napoleon's regime collapsed. At that time, the Franco-Prussian War began, and Hugo supported the opposition. In 1971, he ceased to engage in political activities and took up creativity.
The great French writer, the founder of the trend of romanticism in France, died on May 22, 1885, the cause of death was pneumonia. Mourning for 10 days was declared in the country: about a million people came to say goodbye to Victor Hugo. The ashes of the great writer was placed in the Pantheon.
Statements
Quotes by Victor Marie Hugo became winged and known throughout the world.
Music expresses that which cannot be said, but about which it is impossible to remain silent.
Sometimes a person cannot express his feelings and thoughts - he cannot find the right words. And music allows a person to communicate and share their emotions with others.
The future belongs to two types of people: the man of thought and the man of labor. In essence, both of them form one whole: for to think is to work.
Victor Hugo has always worked: it was both a writing activity and a socio-political one. If a person is engaged in any kind of work, then he is improving. Even if he is engaged not in physical but in mental labor, he trains his mind. Thanks to this, he develops and a person becomes better.
Every civilization begins with theocracy and ends with democracy.
Victor Hugo sought to combat social inequality, he urged people to fight the dictatorial regime, because he believed that power should be in the hands of the people. Therefore, he did not accept the new government in France and expressed his protest in his works.
Reviews
Victor Hugo was appreciated not only in literary circles, but also in society for his desire for justice, to protect the poor. His works reflected all the important social problems and events of those times. With their help, the writer sought to draw the attention of society, to encourage people to fight for rights.
Hugo's work was highly appreciated by F. M. Dostoevsky. His "Les Miserables" he placed above his works. But at the same time, Dostoevsky also noted stylistic shortcomings that did not diminish his love for this creation. Victor Hugo is one of the most famous people in France, who had a great influence on the formation of public thought in the 19th century. He is considered a recognized leader and one of the most prominent representatives of romanticism.
The works of Victor Hugo became the property of not only French but also world literature. In his works, the grotesque description is combined with the importance of raised social topics. Therefore, his works are also read in the modern world, because the theme of humanity, equality, the just structure of society is all relevant for modern society.
Victor Hugo created amazing heroes, in many of whom readers saw the hopes of a revolution. And, unlike many artists, he tried with the help of social activities to improve the lives of ordinary people.