ICSE CHAMP

The Bishop of Digne

by Victor Hugo

(Mulberry) (Standard Version)

Pre-Reading

Question: What do you have in your house that has been with your family for many years? Who did it belong to? Why is it valuable?

Answer: In my house, we have an old wooden cupboard that has been in our family for many years. It belonged to my grandfather, who used it to keep his books and important documents. Although it is not very expensive, it is valuable because it reminds us of him and the love and care he had for our family. It has great sentimental value and is a precious family heirloom that we hope to preserve for future generations.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Quick answers

1. Complete this chart to bring out the character of the bishop. For each trait listed on the left, look for an example from the story that shows that trait. Note it down on the right.

Charitable

Answer: The Bishop had given away almost everything he owned to help the poor. He even gave his house to the townspeople to be used as a hospital and kept only a set of silver cutlery and a pair of silver candlesticks that had been given to him by his mother.

Kind

Answer: Although everyone in the town rejected Jean Valjean because he was an ex-convict, the Bishop welcomed him warmly into his home. He offered him food, a comfortable bed to sleep in, and treated him like an honoured guest instead of a criminal.

Forgiving

Answer: When the police caught Jean Valjean after he had stolen the Bishop's silver cutlery, the Bishop did not accuse him. Instead, he told the police that he had given the silver to Valjean and even added the silver candlesticks, saving him from being sent back to prison.

Reference to context

2. "Slowly, Valjean's hard, gloomy expression softened to one of delight."

a. Where was Valjean?

Answer: Valjean was in the Bishop of Digne's house. He had been welcomed inside after everyone else in the town had refused to give him food or shelter. He was sitting with the Bishop before dinner and was being treated with kindness and respect.

b. Why had his expression been hard and gloomy?

Answer: Valjean's expression had been hard and gloomy because he had suffered greatly in life. He had spent nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving family. After his release, people hated and rejected him because he was an ex-convict. Hungry, tired and lonely, he had lost faith in people's kindness and expected everyone to treat him cruelly.

c. What softened Valjean's expression to one of delight?

Answer: The Bishop's kindness and compassion softened Valjean's expression. Instead of insulting him or driving him away, the Bishop welcomed him warmly, spoke to him respectfully, invited him to dine with the family, and treated him like any other guest. Valjean was deeply touched because no one had shown him such kindness for many years.

3. "A few moments later, everyone in the little house was asleep."

a. Name the people in the little house.

Answer: The people in the little house were:

The Bishop of Digne

His sister, Mademoiselle Baptistine

Their old servant, Madame Magloire

Jean Valjean

b. Who awoke when the clock struck two?

Answer: When the cathedral clock struck two, Jean Valjean awoke.

c. What did the person who was awake think of?

Answer: Jean Valjean thought about his unhappy past. He remembered his years as a prisoner, his poverty, the loss of his youth, and how he had been punished for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his hungry family. As these bitter memories filled his mind, he also began thinking about the Bishop's valuable silver cutlery, which tempted him to steal it.

4. "Unfortunately for Valjean, he was spotted by the local police and arrested."

a. Why did the police arrest Valjean?

Answer: The police arrested Valjean because they found him carrying the Bishop's silver cutlery. They believed he had stolen the valuable silver from the Bishop's house, so they arrested him and took him back to the Bishop to confirm the theft.

b. Where did the police take Valjean?

Answer: The police took Valjean back to the Bishop's house so that the Bishop could identify the stolen silver and confirm that Valjean had stolen it.

c. What response do you think the police were expecting next? Why were they surprised?

Answer: The police expected the Bishop to accuse Valjean of stealing the silver and ask them to take him back to prison. Instead, the Bishop calmly told them that he had given the silver cutlery to Valjean. He even reminded Valjean that he had forgotten to take the silver candlesticks and gave them to him as well. The police were astonished because no one would normally protect a thief in such a generous and forgiving manner.

Read, reflect and write

5. Describe the life that the Bishop and his sister lived.

Answer: The Bishop and his sister lived a simple, humble and selfless life. The Bishop had donated his large house to the townspeople to be used as a hospital and lived in a modest little house with his sister, Mademoiselle Baptistine, and their old servant, Madame Magloire. They possessed very few valuables because the Bishop had given away almost everything he owned to help the poor. Their only valuable possessions were a set of silver cutlery and two silver candlesticks, which had been given to the Bishop by his mother. The Bishop's door was always open to the poor, the sick and the needy, and he never refused food or shelter to anyone. His life was guided by kindness, charity, generosity and faith in God.

6. We are told that Jean Valjean was overcome with emotion while looking at the Bishop sleeping. What emotion did he feel? Why do you think the emotion passed?

Answer: Jean Valjean was overcome with feelings of gratitude, love, respect and remorse as he looked at the Bishop sleeping peacefully. The Bishop had shown him a kindness that no one else had shown since he had left prison. For a brief moment, Valjean felt ashamed of himself and realised that the Bishop trusted him completely.

However, these feelings soon passed because years of poverty, imprisonment and rejection had hardened his heart. The fear of remaining poor and the temptation of owning the valuable silver became stronger than his conscience. Remembering his years of suffering, he convinced himself to steal the silver cutlery and escape into the night.

7. Which two words describe how Jean Valjean felt when the Bishop protected him? Give a reason for each of the emotions he felt.

Answer: Jean Valjean felt bewildered and grateful.

Bewildered:

He was completely confused because he expected the Bishop to accuse him of theft and send him back to prison. Instead, the Bishop claimed that he had willingly given him the silver and even added the silver candlesticks.

Grateful:

He was deeply thankful because the Bishop not only saved him from being arrested again but also gave him the valuable silver as a gift. The Bishop's extraordinary kindness gave Valjean a chance to begin a new life.

8. Do you think that the Bishop was right to protect Jean Valjean? Support your answer with reasons.

Answer: Yes, I think the Bishop was right to protect Jean Valjean. The Bishop believed that every human being deserves a second chance and that kindness can change a person's heart more effectively than punishment. Valjean had become a thief because of poverty and years of harsh treatment, not because he was naturally wicked. By forgiving him and trusting him with the silver, the Bishop awakened the goodness that still existed within him. His compassion transformed Valjean's life and encouraged him to become an honest and responsible man. The Bishop's actions show that mercy, forgiveness and faith in others can bring about lasting change.

9. At the end of the story, what did the Bishop hope Jean Valjean would do? Do you think Jean Valjean fulfilled this hope? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer: At the end of the story, the Bishop hoped that Jean Valjean would use the silver to become an honest man. He reminded Valjean that he had promised to use the wealth wisely and live a life of goodness.

Yes, I believe Jean Valjean fulfilled the Bishop's hope. The Bishop's kindness changed his heart and inspired him to leave behind his life of crime. He eventually became an honest, hardworking and compassionate man who devoted his life to helping others. The Bishop's faith in him gave him the courage to reform and become a better human being.

10. Extended Writing: Rewrite the story in first person, from Jean Valjean's point of view. You may begin: Everyone in the town of Digne turned me away. Exhausted, I knocked on the door of the Bishop's house. To my surprise …

Answer: Everyone in the town of Digne turned me away. Exhausted, I knocked on the door of the Bishop's house. To my surprise, he welcomed me warmly and invited me inside. Instead of asking about my past or treating me like a criminal, he offered me food, warmth and a comfortable bed. I could hardly believe that someone could be so kind to an ex-convict like me.

During dinner, the Bishop spoke to me gently and treated me with respect. His sister and servant also looked after me. Yet I could not forget the many years I had spent in prison and the cruel way people had treated me after my release.

Late that night, I woke up and thought about my poverty and the silver cutlery I had seen on the table. Although I knew it was wrong, temptation overcame me. I quietly entered the Bishop's room, took the silver cutlery and escaped into the darkness.

Soon the police caught me and brought me back to the Bishop's house. I was certain that my life was over and that I would be sent back to prison. But the Bishop surprised everyone by telling the police that he had given me the silver. He even handed me the silver candlesticks and said that I had forgotten to take them.

After the police left, the Bishop looked at me kindly and reminded me that he had bought my soul for God and that I must use the silver to become an honest man. His words filled me with shame and gratitude. From that day onward, I decided to change my life and become worthy of the trust he had placed in me.

Integrate

11. In days before electricity, candlesticks took pride of place in households. Candles are now mostly made from paraffin (a solid extracted from crude oil), beeswax or soy. A person who makes and sells candles is called a chandler. The word comes from the word chandelier. In olden days, before bulbs were invented, chandeliers were lit with candles. Why does a candle flame have a teardrop shape? Why is the region of the flame near the wick blue? Why is the outer region of the flame yellow? How can time be measured using a candle? Look up the answers to these questions and share your findings with the class. Add more interesting facts and draw up a fact file on candles.

Answer:

Fact File on Candles

Why does a candle flame have a teardrop shape?

The flame has a teardrop shape because hot gases produced by the burning wax rise upwards. Cooler air enters from below to replace them, creating the familiar pointed flame.

Why is the region of the flame near the wick blue?

The region near the wick is blue because complete combustion takes place there. This part of the flame is the hottest and contains enough oxygen for the wax vapour to burn efficiently.

Why is the outer region of the flame yellow?

The outer region appears yellow because tiny carbon particles become extremely hot and glow while burning. This glowing carbon gives the flame its bright yellow colour.

How can time be measured using a candle?

A specially marked candle burns at a nearly uniform rate. By marking equal divisions on the candle, people could estimate the passage of time as the wax melted down. Such candles were known as candle clocks.

WORD WALL

Uses of 'such'

1. Now read the following sentences and rewrite them as indicated within brackets.

a. She had finished serving all the dishes she had made. But at the end of the meal she brought out something that was for this special occasion.

(Rewrite using just such a/an.)

Answer:

She had finished serving all the dishes she had made. But at the end of the meal she brought out something that was for just such an occasion.

b. On a morning like this, you would expect everything to go well.

(Rewrite using such ... as.)

Answer:

On such a morning as this, you would expect everything to go well.

c. It is a great pity that he couldn't attend her wedding.

(Rewrite using such as.)

Answer:

It is such a pity that he couldn't attend her wedding.

d. She had not told us her house number, and Bert Road, which is where she said she had her house, was not labelled.

(Rewrite using as such.)

Answer:

She had not told us her house number, and Bert Road, where she said she had her house, was not labelled as such.

e. He came in so quietly that I was completely taken by surprise when I saw him.

(Rewrite using such a.)

Answer:

He came in with such a quiet manner that I was completely taken by surprise when I saw him.

GRAMMAR TIME

Relative adverbs

1. Fill in the blanks choosing words from the box given below.

Words: when, why, where

a. Stratford-upon-Avon is the place __________ Shakespeare was born.

Answer:

Stratford-upon-Avon is the place where Shakespeare was born.

b. Let me tell you the reason __________ I could not attend the meeting.

Answer:

Let me tell you the reason why I could not attend the meeting.

c. I am waiting for the day __________ people will realize that war is futile.

Answer:

I am waiting for the day when people will realize that war is futile.

d. This is the park __________ Alistair played as a child.

Answer:

This is the park where Alistair played as a child.

e. The day __________ my sister was born was the happiest day of our lives.

Answer:

The day when my sister was born was the happiest day of our lives.

Transformation of sentences with too

2. Rewrite the following sentences without using the adverb too.

a. The speaker spoke too softly to be heard.

Answer:

The speaker spoke so softly that he could not be heard.

b. This puzzle is too difficult for us to solve.

Answer:

This puzzle is so difficult that we cannot solve it.

c. The oranges are too sour to eat.

Answer:

The oranges are so sour that they cannot be eaten.

3. Rewrite the following sentences using the adverb too.

a. The fire is so strong that it cannot be extinguished.

Answer:

The fire is too strong to be extinguished.

b. This book is so interesting that I cannot put it down.

Answer:

This book is too interesting for me to put down.

c. The athlete was so tired that he could not complete the marathon.

Answer:

The athlete was too tired to complete the marathon.

PRONUNCIATION

Stress in polysyllabic words

1. Now speak the following words with stress on the correct syllable. You may consult a dictionary.

Answer:

a. imMOVable

b. inTERpret

c. exPERiment

d. GRANDfather

e. ATmosphere

f. MECHanism

g. inteGRAtion

h. underSTAND

WRITE WELL

Newspaper article

You have just seen a performance of 'The Bishop of Digne.' Write a newspaper article on it using the following points.

Whether this was the first performance you saw of the story

Comment on the acting, costumes, props, sound and light

The things you liked and disliked about the play

Why you recommend it

Give your article a suitable headline.

School Play Brings The Bishop of Digne to Life

By Riya Sen

Kolkata, 6 July: Yesterday, our school staged a wonderful performance of The Bishop of Digne. It was the first time I had watched this inspiring story on stage, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The play beautifully portrayed the Bishop's kindness and Jean Valjean's transformation from a bitter ex-convict into a man determined to lead an honest life.

The acting was excellent, especially the students who played the Bishop and Jean Valjean. Their expressions and dialogue delivery were natural and convincing. The costumes matched the period of the story, while the silver candlesticks, dining table and simple house created a realistic setting. The lighting and background music added emotion to important scenes, particularly when the Bishop forgave Valjean.

The only drawback was that a few dialogues were difficult to hear from the back of the hall. Otherwise, the performance was outstanding.

I strongly recommend this play because it teaches valuable lessons about kindness, forgiveness, generosity and the power of giving someone a second chance. It is a touching story that leaves the audience with an important message about humanity.

LISTEN AND SPEAK WELL

1. Listen to the information about candles and the description of the various types of candles. Then correctly label the pictures given below.

Answer (from left to right):

Tea light candle

Gel candle

Taper candle

Votive candle

Pillar candle

Birthday candles

Floating candle

SPEAK WELL

2. Make a short presentation to the class on interesting facts about an everyday object. Make sure that the class learns something specific from your presentation. You may do this activity individually or in groups. Plan out your presentation, prepare for it and then present it.

Plan the presentation

⬇

Prepare for it

⬇

Introduce the topic

⬇

Talk about the main points

⬇

Summarize the points

⬇

Close with a concluding line

Sample Presentation

Topic: The Pencil

Good morning everyone.

Today I am going to speak about one of the most useful everyday objects—the pencil.

A pencil is used by students, artists, engineers and writers all over the world. Most pencils are made from wood and contain a core of graphite, not lead as many people believe. The eraser attached to some pencils is made from rubber and helps us correct our mistakes easily.

One interesting fact is that a single pencil can draw a line about 56 kilometres long or write nearly 45,000 words. Pencils can also write in space because they do not depend on liquid ink.

Pencils are inexpensive, easy to carry and environmentally friendly because many are made from renewable wood.

In conclusion, although the pencil is a simple object, it has played an important role in education, art and science for many years.

Thank you.

3. You have just read about Valjean. Now make two groups and have a debate in your class on the following topic:

'Poverty can lead people to desperate actions.'

For the Motion

Good morning everyone.

I strongly support the motion that poverty can lead people to desperate actions. When people do not have enough food, money or work, they may be forced to do things they would never normally consider. Jean Valjean stole a loaf of bread because his sister's family was starving. He was not a criminal by nature; he was driven by hunger and helplessness. Poverty often causes stress, hopelessness and despair. Many people commit crimes simply to survive or support their families.

Therefore, society should help poor people by providing education, employment and basic necessities so that they are not forced into desperate situations.

Thank you.

Against the Motion

Good morning everyone.

I oppose the motion that poverty can lead people to desperate actions. Although poverty creates many difficulties, it does not force everyone to commit crimes. Many poor people remain honest despite their hardships. Good values, self-control and determination help people make the right choices even in difficult circumstances.

Jean Valjean's story also teaches us that kindness and forgiveness can transform a person's life. Instead of blaming poverty alone, we should encourage honesty, hard work and compassion while also helping those in need.

Therefore, poverty may create challenges, but it does not always lead people to desperate actions.

Thank you.

About the Author

Victor Hugo (1802–1885) was one of France's greatest writers, poets and dramatists. Born in Besançon, France, he began writing at a very young age and soon became famous for his poetry, novels and plays. His works often highlighted themes such as justice, compassion, freedom and the dignity of ordinary people.

Hugo's best-known novels include Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, both of which are regarded as masterpieces of world literature. His writing reflects deep concern for the poor, the oppressed and those treated unfairly by society. Through his memorable characters, he showed that love, forgiveness and kindness have the power to transform lives.

Apart from being a celebrated author, Victor Hugo was also an influential public figure who supported social reforms and human rights. His literary works continue to inspire readers around the world with their powerful messages of hope, mercy and humanity.

"The Bishop of Digne" is an adapted episode from Les Misérables, one of Victor Hugo's most famous novels. The illustrations in this version are by Marcia Williams.