As long as social damnation exists, through law and customs, artificially creating hell at the heart of civilization and muddying the a destiny that is divine with human calamity; as long as these three problems of the century - man's debasement through the proletariat, women's demoralization through hunger, the wasting of a child through darkness - are not resolved; as long as social suffocation is possible in some areas, in other words, and to take a broader view, as long as ignorance and misery exist in the world, books like the one you are about to read, are perhaps, not entirely useless.
Victor Hugo emphasizes the pervasive issues of social injustice in his work, highlighting how societal constructs create suffering and despair. He critiques the existence of social damnation, which inflicts misery through laws and customs that distort human potential and morality. Hugo stresses that as long as problems like the exploitation of the working class, the plight of women facing hunger, and the neglect of children persist, literature holds significant value in addressing these injustices.
Furthermore, Hugo suggests that the ongoing presence of ignorance and suffering underscores the importance of storytelling in society. Books, such as "Les Misérables," serve not only as reflections of reality but also as catalysts for awareness and change. They remain relevant in the fight against the social suffocation that exists in various forms, reminding readers of their collective responsibility to confront these enduring issues. Through literature, Hugo believes there is hope for enlightenment and progress in the face of adversity.
