Victor Marie Hugo: short biography, personal life and works of the writer

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Victor Marie Hugo is 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, so he is also known as a public figure.

Childhood of the writer

The parents of the future writer were Joseph Hugo, who became a general in the Napoleonic army, and Sophie Trebuchet, the daughter of a we althy shipowner and royalist. Victor Marie Hugo had two older brothers. He was born in 1802 in Besancon, and all his childhood years were spent on the move with his parents. They tried to raise their children in an atmosphere of love, but the 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, Kortik, the Elbe, Italy, Madrid - such frequent moves were associated with the work of the writer's father. After each move theyreturned to Paris. It was these travels that impressed little Victor and prepared the basis for his romantic views. In 1813, his parents separated, and Victor Marie Hugo stayed with his mother in Paris.

Youth years

In a brief biography of Victor Marie Hugo, it is noted that from 1814 to 1818 he studied at the Lyceum Louis the Great. At the age of 14, he began to write his first works, which he does not publish. The boy dedicates one of the tragedies he wrote to his mother, in addition, he writes a drama and translates Virgil. In his first works, Victor Hugo appears as a supporter of classicism. Later, when he becomes a royalist, he will develop romanticism.

At the age of 15, young Hugo receives a good review 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 the 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 re-read his manuscripts, he was dissatisfied with their quality: he was sure that he could write more beautifully and gracefully. Victor Hugo begins publishing in 1819. From 1819 to 1821 he published a supplement to a royalist Catholic magazine. In 1819 Hugo wrote the very royalist satire The Telegraph, whichdrew readers' attention to it.

In the magazine supplement he published, the young man wrote under various pseudonyms. It was thanks to his publishing activities that he gained a reputation as a monarchist.

The publication of the first novel and the beginning of romanticism

In 1822, the writer married Adele Fouche. The couple had five children in this marriage. In 1923, Victor Hugo published his novel The Icelander, which received a rather lukewarm reception from the public.

The piece received a good review from Charles Nodier. Thanks to this, an acquaintance took place between them, which grew into friendship. The writer was not very upset by the criticism of his work - he simply decided to work even more carefully. 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, Hugo began to form the basis of romanticism.

Friendship 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 dedicate a poem to him. In 1828, Joseph Hugo died. Victor Marie writes the play "Cromwell" especially for the famous actor François-Joseph Talma and publishes it in 1827. She caused controversy among readers, and in the preface to the play, Hugo wrote that he did not accept the foundations of classicism and decided to write in the direction of romanticism.

Despite the fact that Hugo's works were coolly received by critics, he was a well-known figure in the literary environment. CoupleHugo often arranged receptions in her house, to which famous personalities were invited. The writer makes acquaintance with Chateaubriand, Liszt, Berlioz and other artists.

Besides novels, Hugo writes poetry, and in 1829 and 1834 he publishes short novels - "The Last Day of the Condemned to Death" and "Claude Gay". In them, the writer expresses his negative attitude towards the death pen alty. During the period of creativity from 1826 to 1837, Victor Marie Hugo becomes the founder of French romanticism.

Les Misérables

This is one of the most famous works of the writer. It is the property of French literature and the pinnacle of his work. Les Misérables by Victor Marie Hugo was published in 1862. In it, the writer touches on topics that are important to him, such as the force of law, love, the problem of cruelty and humanity. One of Victor Marie Hugo's most famous characters is Gavroche. He symbolized the hopes of the rebels, the younger generation. In the stories about the children of Victor Marie Hugo, Gavroche occupied a special place and was perceived by readers as a small hero and a fighter for ideals.

The action of the novel in "Les Misérables" covers a wide time frame, so this work is a historical drama. The plot constantly refers the reader to important events of that era. In this book, Victor Hugo criticizes the Restoration era and the large number of poor people. Therefore, his novel is filled with revolutionary and anti-monarchist sentiments.

Notre Dame Cathedral

One of Victor Hugo's most famous books is Notre Dame Cathedral. This is the first historical novel to be written in French and published in March 1831. The main goal of the writer was to draw attention to the Cathedral of Notre Dame, and he wanted to make him the main character.

The cathedral in that era was either to be demolished or made more modern. After the release of the novel, not only in France, but throughout the world, a movement began for the preservation and restoration of Gothic monuments. This work has been filmed many times and staged musicals, 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 revolves around a boy, in infancy, who was mutilated for the amusement of a we althy public. A boy picks up a blind girl and together they find shelter with a traveling actor.

Boy and girl fell in love and it was a pure bright feeling. But it turns out that he has a title and we alth. In his speech addressed to the nobility, this young man talks about the plight of ordinary people, about inequality in the country. And this novel caused controversy among literary critics - whether it belongs to romanticism or realism.

In his novel, Victor Hugo reflected the questions that worried him about lost children and the position of the nobility in society. Before creating the novel, the writer collected historical information about the period he describes in England.

Reclusion

In 1843, a tragedy occurred in the life of Victor Hugo: his daughter Leopoldina and her husband died during a shipwreck. After that, for some time he completely ceased to maintain contact with society. Being in such seclusion, Victor Hugo began to work 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 Isle of Jersey and Henry Island. During this difficult period, he wrote the book "Napoleon the Small", in which he exposed the dictatorship of the new ruler, Louis Bonaparte, and satire in verse - "Retribution", which became popular with opponents of Napoleon III. In the early 60s of the 19th century, Hugo returned to writing his voluminous novel, which became known to the world as Les Misérables.

Work in the theater

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 staged back in 1829, caused controversy between representatives of the old and the new in art.

In all his plays, Hugo described the conflicts between the nobility and the common people. Sometimes this conflict was deliberately exaggerated in order to attract the attention of readers. Some of his plays were even withdrawn from screenings,but then they were returned to the repertoire again.

The artistic talent of the writer and his friendship with painters

Victor Hugo also painted. He started drawing at the age of 8. Now his works are in private collections and are still highly valued at auctions. Most of his works were written between 1848 and 1851 in ink and pencils.

Delacroix told Victor Hugo that he would become a famous artist and surpass many contemporary painters. The writer kept in touch with many famous artists and illustrators. Boulanger admired Hugo so much that he created a large number of portraits with people gathering 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 Emile Bayard.

Political career and 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 his political career and in that year he became a peer of France. In 1848 he became a member of the National Assembly, in whose meetings he took part until 1851. Victor Hugo did not support the new revolution and the election of Napoleon III as the new ruler. 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 he collapsedNapoleonic regime. At that time, the Franco-Prussian War began, and Hugo supported the opposition. In 1971, he stopped political activities and took up creativity.

The great French writer, the founder of the current of romanticism in France, died on May 22, 1885, the cause of death was pneumonia. The country was declared mourning for 10 days: about a million people came to say goodbye to Victor Hugo. The ashes of the great writer were placed in the Pantheon.

Sayings

Quotes by Victor Marie Hugo have become famous and famous all over the world.

Music expresses what cannot be said, but what cannot be 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: a man of thought and a man of work. In essence, both of them are one: for to think is to work.

Victor Hugo always worked: it was both writing and socio-political. If a person is engaged in any work, then he is improved. Even if he is engaged not in physical, but in mental labor, he trains his mind. Thanks to this, he develops and the person becomes better.

Every civilization starts with a theocracy and ends with a democracy.

Victor Hugo sought to fight social inequality, he called on people to fight the dictatorial regime, because he believed that power should be in the hands of the people. That's whyhe did not accept the new power in France and protested 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. All the important social problems and events of those times were reflected in his works. The writer sought to use them to draw the attention of society, to encourage people to fight for their rights.

Hugo's work was highly appreciated by F. M. Dostoevsky. He put his "Les Miserables" above his own 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 people's social thought in the 19th century. He is considered a recognized leader and one of the brightest representatives of romanticism.

The works of Victor Hugo have become the property of not only French, but also world literature. In his works, the grotesque description is combined with the importance of the social topics raised. Therefore, his works are read in the modern world, because the theme of humanity, equality, a fair structure of society - all this is relevant for modern society.

Victor Hugo created amazing heroes, in many of whom readers saw the hopes of the revolution. And, unlike many artists, he tried to improve the lives of ordinary people through social activities.