After watching the 2012 movie adaptation of the musical Les Misérables, historian Julia Gossard overheard someone asking if the film depicted the French Revolution. The answer is no; Les Misérables is set during a different French uprising. Let’s clear up some common myths about the French Revolution and explore what really happened.
Les Misérables takes place during the June Rebellion of 1832, not the French Revolution. The French Revolution began in the late 1780s due to poor harvests and a debt crisis, leading to questions about the monarchy and social structure. This period of upheaval continued until Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in 1799. In Les Misérables, the main character, Jean Valjean, is released from prison in 1815, and the story’s main conflict occurs during the June Rebellion.
Victor Hugo, the author of Les Misérables, witnessed part of the June Rebellion. By 1832, the monarchy had been restored after Napoleon’s fall, with Louis Philippe as king. Although he was a liberal ruler, he faced opposition from republicans and Bonapartists. The June Rebellion was sparked by various issues, including a cholera epidemic that claimed the life of General Jean Maximilien Lamarque, a beloved republican hero. At Lamarque’s funeral, thousands of Parisians built barricades and rebelled, but the military quickly ended the uprising, resulting in about 800 casualties.
While the June Rebellion wasn’t part of the French Revolution, it shared the revolutionary spirit. So, while Les Misérables isn’t a French Revolution story, it reflects themes of rebellion and class struggle.
The storming of the Bastille is often seen as a key event of the French Revolution, but some details are misunderstood. The Bastille was not a torture fortress; it was a prison for about 40 prisoners, mostly well-off citizens living in relative comfort. The real reason for the attack was to seize ammunition. In July 1789, France was in debt, partly due to its involvement in the American Revolution. The Third Estate, representing common people, wanted reform and feared the king’s intentions. On July 14, around 2,000 people raided the Hôtel des Invalides for weapons and then marched to the Bastille. The governor surrendered but was violently killed by the mob.
The storming of the Bastille became a symbol of the fight against monarchical oppression. Reports of torture were exaggerated, and many supposed instruments of torture were misidentified.
Many believe the guillotine is named after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician who suggested a standardized execution method. However, similar devices existed long before it was called the guillotine. Guillotin didn’t invent it; he proposed more humane executions. The actual design was by an engineer named Antoine Louis.
The phrase “Let them eat cake,” often linked to Marie Antoinette, is a misrepresentation. The original French phrase is “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche,” meaning “Let them eat brioche,” a richer bread. This phrase has been attributed to various figures and reflects the idea of the wealthy being out of touch with the poor’s struggles. Marie Antoinette was executed for treason, but her legacy is often oversimplified.
Thanks for exploring these historical misconceptions! Understanding the past helps us learn from it and see the world more clearly.
Research and create a timeline that distinguishes between the events of the French Revolution and the June Rebellion of 1832. Use different colors to highlight the key events of each period. This will help you visualize the historical context and understand the differences between these two significant uprisings in French history.
Participate in a role-playing debate where you represent different historical figures from the French Revolution and the June Rebellion. Prepare arguments based on their perspectives and engage in a discussion about the causes and impacts of these events. This will enhance your understanding of the motivations and challenges faced by people during these times.
Work in groups to create a presentation that debunks common myths about the French Revolution. Use evidence from historical sources to support your claims. Present your findings to the class to help clarify misconceptions and provide a more accurate picture of this period in history.
Write a short story or diary entry from the perspective of a fictional character living during either the French Revolution or the June Rebellion. Incorporate historical facts and events to make your narrative realistic. This activity will allow you to explore the human experience during these tumultuous times.
Create a comparison chart that outlines the similarities and differences between the French Revolution and the June Rebellion. Focus on aspects such as causes, key figures, outcomes, and societal impacts. This will help you critically analyze the two events and understand their unique characteristics.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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After seeing the 2012 film adaptation of the musical *Les Misérables* in theaters, historian Julia Gossard overheard a snippet of conversation from other viewers. One woman asked, “So that was the French Revolution?” and concluded that it was unsuccessful. Whether or not the French Revolution was unsuccessful is debatable, but the first half of the question has a straightforward answer: no, *Les Misérables* is not set during the French Revolution. It’s important to clarify that it takes place during a different French uprising.
Hi, I’m Justin Dodd, and that moviegoer is far from the only person to make this mistake. In fact, there are several myths about the French Revolution that persist today, from who invented the guillotine to the true nature of the storming of the Bastille. So, let’s dive in.
*Les Misérables* takes place during the June Rebellion of 1832, not the French Revolution, which is generally agreed to have started in the late 1780s. This period was marked by bad harvests and a major debt crisis that led people to question the socio-economic structure and the Bourbon monarchy. The upheaval lasted until Napoleon Bonaparte took charge toward the end of 1799. When Jean Valjean gets out of prison at the beginning of *Les Misérables*, it’s already 1815, and the story’s main conflict centers on the June Rebellion.
Victor Hugo, the author, witnessed part of this rebellion. By 1832, the monarchy had been restored after Napoleon was ousted, and Louis Philippe was on the throne. While he was a reasonably liberal ruler, he faced opposition from republicans and Bonapartists, among others. The June Rebellion was fueled by various issues, including a cholera epidemic that claimed the life of General Jean Maximilien Lamarque, a popular republican hero. At Lamarque’s funeral, thousands of Parisians built barricades and staged a rebellion. However, the military quelled the riots within about 24 hours, resulting in around 800 casualties among the rebels.
While the June Rebellion wasn’t technically part of the French Revolution, it certainly embodied some of the revolutionary spirit. So, while *Les Misérables* is not the quintessential French Revolution story, it does reflect the themes of rebellion and class struggle.
Now, let’s talk about the storming of the Bastille, which is often viewed as the quintessential event of the French Revolution. However, some important details are often overlooked. The Bastille was not the torture fortress many imagine; it was a fortress that had become a prison, housing about 40 prisoners at a time, mostly well-off citizens who lived in relative comfort.
The real reason for the attack on the Bastille was to seize ammunition. In July 1789, France was in serious debt, partly due to its involvement in the American Revolution. The Third Estate, which represented the common people, was eager for reform and worried about the king’s intentions. On July 14, about 2,000 people raided the Hôtel des Invalides for weapons and then marched to the Bastille. The governor of the Bastille eventually surrendered, but he faced a violent end at the hands of the mob.
The storming of the Bastille took on mythic significance, symbolizing the fight against monarchical oppression. Reports of torture within the Bastille were exaggerated, and many of the supposed instruments of torture were misidentified.
As for the guillotine, it’s commonly believed to be named after Joseph-Ignace Guillotin, a French physician who advocated for a standardized method of execution. However, versions of the guillotine had existed for centuries before it became known by that name. Guillotin did not invent the device; he merely suggested that executions be made more humane. The actual design was created by an engineer named Antoine Louis.
Lastly, the phrase “Let them eat cake,” often attributed to Marie Antoinette, is a misrepresentation. The original phrase in French is “Qu’ils mangent de la brioche,” which translates to “Let them eat brioche,” a richer type of bread. This phrase has been linked to various historical figures, but it reflects a broader theme of the wealthy being out of touch with the struggles of the poor.
Marie Antoinette was ultimately convicted of treason and executed, but her legacy is often oversimplified. Thank you for watching! Make sure to subscribe to Mental Floss for more insights into historical misconceptions. Comment your favorite *Les Misérables* song below, and I’ll see you next time!
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This version maintains the core information while removing any inappropriate language or phrasing.
French – Relating to France or its people or language. – The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political change in France.
Revolution – A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system. – The American Revolution inspired many other countries to fight for their independence.
Les Misérables – A novel by Victor Hugo, set in post-revolutionary France, focusing on themes of justice, redemption, and moral philosophy. – Les Misérables is considered one of the greatest novels of the 19th century.
Rebellion – An act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler. – The rebellion against the king was a pivotal moment in the country’s history.
Monarchy – A form of government with a monarch at the head. – The monarchy was abolished in France after the revolution.
Guillotine – A machine with a heavy blade used for beheading people, especially during the French Revolution. – The guillotine became a symbol of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution.
Marie Antoinette – The last queen of France before the French Revolution, known for her extravagant lifestyle. – Marie Antoinette was executed by guillotine in 1793.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes.
Struggle – A forceful or violent effort to get free of restraint or resist attack. – The struggle for civil rights in the United States was a long and difficult journey.
Misconceptions – Incorrect or mistaken views or ideas. – There are many misconceptions about the causes of the French Revolution.
