Les Miserable
Victor Hugo made it so that the characters in Les Miserables progressed throughout the novel. The theme "progress" can be seen and used widely. Three main characters, Jean Valjean, Cossette, and Javert expressed positive and negative forms of growth.Jean Valjean began the story as an ex-convict who was searching for food and shelter after working in the galleys for sixteen years. Unfortunately, he failed to receive compassion from any lodging, or home. While he was wandering through the streets after been rejected so many times, "he came to the prefecture then to the seminary. On passing by the cathedral square he shook his fist at the church" (22). Through this discrete action, it was clear how he had felt toward the church. The church, we learned was a representation of his resentment toward everyone and everything around him (due to his past experienced of suffering). After he found shelter within the Bishop's lodging, he expressed his gratitude for excepting him, and began to tell stories of suffering in the past. Here, the reader would assume this encounter and expression would be the end of Jean Valjean's criminal actions, as did the Bishop when he said, "you have left a place of suffering. But listen, th
"I have often been severe in my life towards others. I give it to God!" (39) The reader is aware of the obvious change in Valjean's life, as his identity was changed twice (Monsieur Madeline, and Monsieur LeBlanc) to hide away from his past convict life. Where was he he? He sought himself and found himself no longer. Valjean could have taken this as good advice, or a warning, but it didn't stop him stealing the Bishop's candlesticks later on. It's interesting to see how people who began miserably, advance over to more mature natured, rational, clear-minded people when they are given a push of influence. Throughout the novel he has several encounters with Jean Valjean. Javert was known to have strong beliefs and morals, and stands by them at every turn. The reader can see that he was left behind in evil, while all the other characters move on with their lives into maturity, goodness, and compassion. That is, to take care of her daughter after she died. With each encounter, his anger and determination begins to build up, until his own turning point of growth.
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