In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," the author emphasizes the importance of education for the less fortunate, arguing that society has a duty to provide knowledge freely to all. He believes that when individuals lack education, it leads to ignorance and moral failings, resulting in a cycle of darkness. The responsibility for this situation lies not with the individuals who commit sins born from ignorance, but with the society that fails to enlighten them.

Hugo suggests that a blame-free environment should be fostered, where the focus is on uplifting the uninformed instead of condemning them. He views the systemic lack of free education as a significant moral failing of society, creating an atmosphere filled with shadows, representing ignorance and sin. Thus, the accountability rests on the collective shoulders of those who could provide the necessary instruction but choose not to do so.