Unveiling Victor Hugo through Critical Race Theory Feminist Lens: A Social Constructivist Approach


Authors : Natalia C. Giordana Caffarone Klausen

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 6 - June


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/369y76sy

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/2xznwm32

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24JUN872

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : This study re-examines the life and works of Victor Hugo, one of the 19th century's most influential French writers, through the integrated lenses of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and feminist theory, employing a social constructivist approach. By analyzing Hugo's significant works, including "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," this research explores how his narratives address the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. By critically examining characters such as Fantine, Cosette, and Esmeralda, as well as the depiction of marginalized groups, the study uncovers Hugo's critique of his time's social constructs and power dynamics. This analysis highlights Hugo's progressive empathy for the oppressed and discusses the contemporary relevance of his work in understanding and addressing ongoing social injustices. By situating Hugo's literary contributions within the frameworks of CRT and feminist theory, this research offers new insights into the enduring significance of his critique of systemic inequalities, emphasizing the importance of intersectional perspectives in literary studies.

References :

  1. Alexander, M. (2010) “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” The New Press, pp.336.
  2. Bell, D. (1992) “Faces at the Bottom of the Well: The Permanence of Racism” Basic Books, pp.222.
  3. Bellos, D. (2021) "Victor Hugo" Audiobook. Publisher:Tantor and Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged Edition, pp.1.
  4. Berger, P.L. and Luckmann, T. (1966) "The Social Construction of Reality: A Treatise in the Sociology of Knowledge" Anchor Books, pp.240.
  5. Blackmore, E.H. (2001) "Selected Poems of Victor Hugo" University of Chicago; First Edition, 664pp. Charmaz, K. (2014) "Constructing Grounded Theory” SAGE Publications Ltd, pp.416.
  6. Crenshaw, K. (1996) “Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings that Formed the Movement” The New Press, pp.528.
  7. Crenshaw, K. (1991) "Mapping the Margins: Intersectionality, Identity Politics, and Violence against Women of Color" Stanford Law Review, vol. 43, no. 6, pp.1241-1299.
  8. Delgado, R. and Stefancic, J. (2001) “Critical Race Theory: An Introduction” NYU Press, Second Edition, pp.208.
  9. Delgado, R. (1989) "Storytelling for Oppositionists and Others: A Plea for Narrative" Michigan Law Review, vol. 87, no. 8, pp. 2411-2441.
  10. De Beauvoir, S. “The Second Sex” Vintage Books, 2011.
  11. Eberhardt, J.L. (2019) “Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do” Penguin Books, pp.350.
  12. Gergen, K.J. (2004) "Social Construction: Entering the Dialogue" Taos Institute Publications, Amazon, pp.100.
  13. Gergen, K.J. (2001) "Social Constructionism in Context" SAGE Publications Ltd, pp.240.
  14. Gillborn, D. (2008) “Race, Racism and Education: Inequality, Resilience and Reform in Policy & Practice” Routledge.
  15. Greene, E.J.H. (2021) "The Cambridge Companion to Victor Hugo" Published online by Cambridge University Press: pp.89 - 290.
  16. Harris, C. I. (1993) "Whiteness as Property" Harvard Law Review, vol. 106, no. 8, 1993, pp.1707-1791.
  17. Holstein, J.A. and Gubrium, J.F. (2007) "Handbook of Constructionist Research" Guilford Press, pp.832.
  18. Holstein, J.A. and Miller, G. (2015) "Social Constructionism: Sources and Stirrings in Theory and Practice" New York: Cambridge University Press, pp.696.
  19. Hooks, B. “Feminist Theory: From Margin to Center” South End Press, 1984. Hugo, Victor. “Les Misérables” Various editions.
  20. Victor Hugo. “Les Miserables, trans. Lee Fahnestock, Norman MacAfee” (2013) New York: Penguin Group, pp.402.
  21. Hugo, Victor “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame” Various editions. Hugo, Victor "Napoleon the Little" Various editions.
  22. Hugo, Victor and Fizaine, J.C. (2002), “Oeuvres complètes de Victor Hugo” Broché Grand livre, pp.1200.
  23. Josephson, M. (2006) "Victor Hugo: A Realistic Biography of the Great Romantic" Jorge Pinto Books Inc, pp.528.
  24. Kozulin, A. ed. “Vygotsky’s Educational Theory in Cultural Context” Cambridge University Press, 2003.
  25. Ladson-Billings, G. and Tate, W. F. IV (1995) "Toward a Critical Race Theory of Education" Teachers College Record, vol. 97, no. 1, pp. 47-68.
  26. Matsuda, M. J. (1993) “Words That Wound: Critical Race Theory, Assaultive Speech, and the First Amendment” Routledge, First Edition, pp.171.
  27. McLeod, S. "Lev Vygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory" Simply Psychology, 2019.
  28. Mercier, C. (2014) "Les Misérables: Annotated and Illustrated Edition" by Victor Hugo, Maplewood, pp.2610.
  29. Robb, G. (1997) "Victor Hugo: A Biography" W.W.Norton & Company, pp.414.
  30. Searle, J.R. (1996) "The Construction of Social Reality" Penguin, Reprint Edition, pp.256.
  31. Stinchcombe, A.L. (1987) "Constructing Social Theories" University of Chicago Press, Reprint Edition, pp.320.
  32. Vygotsky, L. “Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes” Harvard University Press, 1978.
  33. Yosso, T.J. (2006) “Critical Race Counterstories along the Chicana/Chicano Educational Pipeline” Routledge, pp.208.

This study re-examines the life and works of Victor Hugo, one of the 19th century's most influential French writers, through the integrated lenses of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and feminist theory, employing a social constructivist approach. By analyzing Hugo's significant works, including "Les Misérables" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," this research explores how his narratives address the intersectionality of race, gender, and class. By critically examining characters such as Fantine, Cosette, and Esmeralda, as well as the depiction of marginalized groups, the study uncovers Hugo's critique of his time's social constructs and power dynamics. This analysis highlights Hugo's progressive empathy for the oppressed and discusses the contemporary relevance of his work in understanding and addressing ongoing social injustices. By situating Hugo's literary contributions within the frameworks of CRT and feminist theory, this research offers new insights into the enduring significance of his critique of systemic inequalities, emphasizing the importance of intersectional perspectives in literary studies.

Never miss an update from Papermashup

Get notified about the latest tutorials and downloads.

Subscribe by Email

Get alerts directly into your inbox after each post and stay updated.
Subscribe
OR

Subscribe by RSS

Add our RSS to your feedreader to get regular updates from us.
Subscribe