Victor Hugo, in "Les Miserables," emphasizes the importance of educating the unlearned, arguing that society bears a significant responsibility for the ignorance that leads to moral failings. He suggests that when individuals are left uninformed, they contribute to a cycle of darkness, implying that society should provide free education to prevent such outcomes. This perspective highlights the moral obligation of communities to uplift those who lack knowledge.

Hugo points out that while people may engage in sinful acts due to their ignorance, the true blame lies with those who allow this ignorance to persist. The notion is that it is not merely the individuals who commit wrongdoings that are at fault, but rather the societal structures that fail to illuminate their paths. Society thus has a duty to enlighten its members to foster a more just and moral world.