The Role Of Giving In Victor Hugo's Les Miserables

Giving is an activity that people do every day. Receiving something in return tends to be the motivation for people to be generous. Very few people in this world will actually donate their time, effort, or money without acquiring a service or gift in return. The author of Les Misérables, Victor Hugo, knew of one of these magnanimous and charitable people. Inspired by all the altruistic deeds he has seen and heard about, Hugo created the Bishop of Dignes. The Bishop of Dignes time and time again demonstrates what it means to be a selfless Christian through his actions.
Whenever there is an opportunity, this bishop chooses to be benevolent. The hospital is overcrowded at the time of the bishop’s ordination. There are twenty-six patients but only enough room for

twenty beds. On the other hand, the lavish episcopal palace next door, which could house sixty, is solely being occupied by three residents. At the sight of this, the Bishop of Dignes immediately offers to trade buildings: “‘You have my house and I have yours’” (Hugo 4).

Despite the fact that life in the palace would have been wondrous and splendid, it did not hurt the bishop very much to move into a smaller house, for Christian charity is all about being caring, especially to people in need. A few years later, the bishop performs another humane act. Jean Valjean, a wandering ex-convict, is in Dignes and is seeking a place to spend the night. The inn refuses to offer service, and all the residents of the town lock their doors in fear. In the end, after hours of desperate search for shelter, Valjean finds himself at the door of the gracious bishop begging to be let in. A few seconds later, the bishop responds, “‘Monsieur, sit down and warm yourself; we are going to take supper presently, and your bed will be made ready while you sup’” (16). The bishop had every reason to not trust the potentially threatening stranger and shut his door as well. He, however, did not do so because he saw someone that needed help, regardless of the person’s background. In the end, it is evident that the bishop should not have invited Valjean in as a guest. Silver is very valuable, and having a

set of silver plates and utensils in an unlocked cupboard is a huge temptation for thieves. Valjean, with a history of being a burglar, could not help himself and runs away the next morning with the bishop’s silver. When the housekeeper starts to lash out about the despicable robber, the bishop asserts that he has “‘for a long time wrongfully withheld this silver; it belonged to the poor’” (32). The next kind act that the bishop performs is beyond all else. He had just suffered losses from Valjean’s misdeed, yet he decides to still continue being generous to the felon. Two additional silver candlesticks are given to Valjean when he is captured and brought back to the bishop’s house in hopes that they will provide guidance and inflict change. The Bishop of Dignes showed the world what it is like to be an epitome of ideal Christian charity.
Rarely are these unconditionally big-hearted people found in life. Running into the bishop is definitely one of the best things that has happened for the hospital’s director as well as for Jean Valjean. It is seeing a glimpse of hope in a time of turmoil. Many people might claim that they are loving and giving Christians. Most of the residents of Dignes probably did, yet they bolted their doors close when a destitute wanderer passed by. Actions speak louder than words. They were not truly selfless. There needs to be more people like the Bishop of Dignes.