In Victor Hugo's 'Les Miserables', the author critically examines societal norms and laws that lead to the marginalization and condemnation of individuals. He illustrates how society imposes harsh judgments and creates a metaphorical hell for those who are deemed outcasts, resulting in a cycle of suffering and hopelessness among the disenfranchised.

Hugo suggests that as long as these decrees of damnation persist, they will continue to generate false divisions among people, hindering true compassion and understanding. The existence of such societal constructs creates an environment where the downtrodden are punished rather than rehabilitated, perpetuating a cycle of despair within the civilization.