Narrative Report Essay Example
Narrative Report Essay Example

Narrative Report Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (933 words)
  • Published: August 25, 2016
  • Type: Report
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Les Miserables, written by author Hugo, includes notable digressions without apology. These digressions encompass various topics including a detailed 60-page account of the Battle of Waterloo, dedicated 40 pages on convents, and an exploration of sewers spanning 20 pages. Additionally, there are lengthy chapters on different subjects that do not significantly contribute to the story. It would have been more forgivable if Hugo had positioned these digressions elsewhere instead of interrupting crucial moments when Valjean faced imminent danger from Javert's relentless pursuit.

In the chapter titled 'Javert in disarray', Hugo's remarkable writing skill vividly portrays Javert's inner turmoil and horror, transforming him from a previously perceived two-dimensional character. The chapter exposes how Javert's obsessive pursuit of Valjean has consumed his life, ultimately leading to Valjean gaining control over

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him. Additionally, coincidence holds great importance in the novel.

In the complex city of Paris, Javert unknowingly becomes involved in Valjean's actions and location. Knowing this can assist in avoiding the emotional turmoil I went through. Furthermore, Hugo playfully presents Valjean with different disguises and false identities, leading us to question who he truly is. However, it is ridiculous to think that we could be easily deceived.

The narrative is filled with coincidences, as seen when Marius, a law student who is in love with Cosette, moves in next door to the Thenardiers, the villains of the story. It may seem unlikely for such coincidences to occur in a massive city like Paris. However, I personally enjoy coincidences and find them to be the highlight of any nineteenth century novel. Reading Les Miserables is similar to reading any lengthy novel.

Th

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book will captivate and engross you for the most part, making it hard to put down (except when your arm goes numb. I've never felt so convinced about owning a Kindle.) However, there is a section that fails to capture your interest and prompts you to switch to another read. Once you try to pick it up again, continuing becomes almost impossible. At around 900 pages, I nearly gave up on the book when Hugo suddenly shifted focus from Marius and Cosette's love story and impending separation to a group of minor characters connected to a student movement that I couldn't care less about.

After angrily throwing down Les Miserables, I was reminded of my encounter with War and Peace. While reading that book, only the sections about Natasha and the war captivated me. Nevertheless, a few weeks later, I picked up Les Miserables again because there were only three hundred pages left and I wanted to finish it. One aspect of the novel that I loved is how Hugo continuously challenges what we learned in creative writing class. Additionally, its adaptation into a musical made it even more appealing to me.

Hugo's reason for penning a lengthy novel such as Les Miserables is justifiable since the absence of creative writing classes during his era. Nonetheless, it is highly improbable for us to undertake the task of crafting such an expansive novel. If I were to achieve the feat of composing the book that I believe lies within me and present it to publishers, they would most likely eliminate the 40-page segment concerning convents. In the edition of Les Miserables that I perused,

extraneous material was condensed and relocated to an appendix towards its conclusion.

Despite my usual disagreement with such actions, I feel compelled to express gratitude towards Penguin in this specific instance. Upon reaching page 1060, I encountered an extensive discussion regarding Parisian sewers that nearly diminished my motivation to continue reading. This brings to mind a dispute I had once engaged in on the Amazon comment section for Wuthering Heights (I must confess, it doesn't take much to irritate me). A self-proclaimed creative writing teacher argued that Wuthering Heights was an inferior book due to its absence of relatable characters.

The text angers and surprises me with its assumption that rude, uncivilized Yorkshire men harboring odd, quasi-incestuous love for their adopted sisters are an impossibility. Additionally, I dislike constantly reading about characters that I can personally identify with. In life, we encounter many individuals whom we don't agree with, like, or understand. Often, these people are the most fascinating ones we come across. Hence, I desire my literary experiences to include such individuals as well. This doesn't mean that creative writing classes are inherently negative; rather, it emphasizes the importance of finding a good one.

According to Wikipedia, my previous teacher's most memorable advice was to "use fewer Latin derived words and more Anglo-Saxon ones." Therefore, it is mentioned that this novel encompasses a period of seventeen years. The central focus of the story revolves around Jean Valjean, as the narrative begins with his release from prison and his endeavor to reform and establish a meaningful life. Despite assuming a new identity, Valjean is unable to escape his troubled history, as

he eventually becomes the Mayor of Montreuil-Sur-Mer.

In this text, it is revealed that Valjean gets involved with Fantine, a former woman who has become a prostitute. Fantine's young daughter, Cosette, is mistreated by the evil Thenardiers and Valjean is intertwined in their situation. Despite Valjean's high social status, Javert, a police inspector, remains suspicious of him. This is just the start as the novel explores various themes such as the history of Paris, the concept of justice, the plight of the poor, romantic love, moral philosophy, and revolution. Valjean's life is forever marked as a criminal simply for stealing a loaf of bread when he was starving.

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