First of all, the story starts with a character named Jean Val jean. He is a victim of harsh penal laws of the nineteenth century. In those days, penal laws are more like laws in ancient civilizations where theft is a crime punishable by death. However, the laws changed and milder laws were passed that are about making the criminals into civilized individuals instead of killing them. And with these things in mind, Victor Hugo may have created this novel.

Second, Abuse of women was one important historical fact in those days. Women were to obey men and they had no rights. In case of Fan tine, she suffers more than anyone can imagine. This fact may have inspired Hugo to introduced Fantine into his novel.

Third, the battle of Waterloo was also the significant historical fact. According to the novel, France seems to be a country without...