Les Miserables
Many beliefs exist about redemption and the pursuit of such a divine principle. In Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, JeanValjean seeks redemption and deliverance from his past sins by acting as a savior of underprivileged citizens in Paris. However, one must also explore the character of Javert, for these men ultimately pursue redemption. Both men obey the duties of their conscience, and both must make sacrifices, yet one man receives deliverance from his sins, and the latter, Javert, is overcome by them. These two men differ only in their interpretation of duty, demonstrating that merely abiding by one's conscience cannot always equal redemption. While seemingly good, Javert's actions spur from motives of none but Javert, and as such, render the foundation for greater injustices. The scruple of Javert's actions early became duty alone, and late into Javert's life duty remains his only dictator. Javert's ideal "was not to be humane, not to be great, it was to be reproachable," and perform a duty to society that involves ridding the Parisian world of scum, or what he denounces as such (1324). The fact of the matter remains that with every hour and every action encompassed in this man's life, duty never exists as his primary concern
A once secure and singularly loyal man, Javert now has only a choice between letting Jean go and betraying his conscience, or arresting Jean, and betraying himself. Here, Javert's duty to humanity and his newfound belief that there may exist principles aside from duty, mix together and force Javert to choose whether he exists as the wolf or as the dog. Because Jean Valjean shows his ability to grasp these principles, he has the ability to enter the great light in his lifetime. Some may assert that Javert sacrifices himself lovingly for the sake of Jean Valjean, but in truth, Javert sacrifices himself out of repugnance for himself. However, his conscience hasn't died without taking Javert along. A gruff, belligerent, and indignant man, Javert barges in and demands the arrest of Jean Valjean. Showing no remorse, Javert feels that his dutiful quest for the progress of society will only meet victory upon the arrest of Jean Valjean. Furthermore, when confronting the first and only dilemma of his conscience, Javert questions, "Is there anything in the world besides tribunals, sentences, police, and authority?" (1321). Javert traditionally would act as a poster-boy for redemption, as he fully obeysall that his conscience dictates and in fact, does sacrifice himself in the end for the greater good. Javert's prejudice and selectiveness in obeying his ideals continually demonstrate the deficiencies of his conscience, further showing that the injustices caused by outright bigotry under the pretexts of authority not only show a moral abuse of power, but offend society as well. In her fright, she hits her head, and finally meets her demise, thus making Javert ultimately responsible for her death. This cause-effect reaction makes itself evident after Monsieur the Mayor reveals his true identity, while he visits Fantine one last time. Javert, unfortunately, demonstrates Hugo's principle that sometimes "death is the entrance into great light," as his life ends before he truly can embrace the good in the world (294).
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Acceptance Essays
