In "Les Miserables," the episcopal palace is situated next to the hospital, indicating a close physical and symbolic relationship between these two institutions. The palace represents the church's authority and its role in society, while the hospital embodies care and compassion for the needy. This proximity highlights the tension between religious power and human suffering.

Victor Hugo uses this setting to explore themes of redemption and societal responsibility. The adjacency of the episcopal palace to the hospital suggests a call for the church to engage more deeply with social issues and to act as a force for good in the community, emphasizing the need for compassion in the face of hardship.