Symbol, History, and Destiny: Narrative Coherence in Victor Hugo's Les Misrables Through Segmented Discourse Representation Theory

This paper applies Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT), as proposed by Asher and Lascarides in 2003, to analyze the discourse structure of Victor Hugo's Les Misrables, focusing on how Hugo intertwines historical commentary with narrative structure to shape character fates and plot development. Centering on the events of the June 5, 1832 revolt, this study conducts both global and micro analyses, exploring the structural and rhetorical mechanisms that situate these narrative elements within broader historical currents.Furthermore, the paper critically engages with the challenges posed by SDRT's Right Frontier Constraint (RFC), demonstrating that Hugos non-linear, symbolic narrative layers complicate traditional discourse coherence models. By incorporating Reader-Response Theory, this study highlights how Hugos narrative strategies invite active reader engagement, transforming structural ambiguities into deliberate rhetorical devices. Ultimately, this interdisciplinary approach not only enhances the understanding of Hugos sophisticated literary techniqueintegrating personal destinies with historical inevitabilitybut also underscores SDRTs valuable analytical potential in literary discourse studies.