Under Sentence of Death; Or, a Criminal's Last Hours

"Under Sentence of Death; Or, a Criminal's Last Hours" by Victor Hugo is a poignant fiction work written in the mid-19th century. The narrative plunges readers into the dire psychological turmoil of a condemned man facing execution, who reflects on the weight of his impending death while grappling with memories of a life once filled with freedom and joy. The story deeply explores themes of justice, morality, and the human condition, allowing empathy for its tragic protagonist, who is merely identified through his chilling fate rather than by name. At the start of the narrative, we meet a nameless prisoner who has been sentenced to death and is grappling with the haunting weight of this reality. For five weeks, he has wrestled with the crushing specter of his impending execution, detailing his memories of freedom and beauty now overshadowed by despair. As he prepares for his last moments, the grim surroundings of his dungeon and the judgment of society loom large, forcing him into profound reflections on his crime, his loved ones, and the nature of justice itself. His vivid thoughts are interspersed with encounters with prison guards, a priest, and fellow condemned men, each contributing to the somber atmosphere as he awaits the certainty of his fate. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Victor-Marie Hugo, vicomte Hugo was a French Romantic writer and politician. During a literary career that spanned more than sixty years, he wrote in a variety of genres and forms.