Les Miserables
"All extreme situations have their flashes which sometimes make us blind, sometimes illuminate us." Going from one extreme to another and back again gives one a genuine strength. In Hugo's Les Miserables, for Jean Valjean , these extremes are self-initiated and self-inflicted. When facing more than his share of trials and tribulations, though, Jean always keeps going, whether with a mighty roar or a weak whimper. There are many things that molded Valjean, though, none quite as much as that of the "wrong" choices, those which are the greatest source of strength and wisdom. These choices cause Valjean to gain a specialized perspective on the world and influence all later choices on block at a time. From the very onset of the novel it becomes evident that Valjean is a compass without the directions imperative to find t
The choices that one makes are the very core on which their existence is built, and as Jean learns building from the ground up makes for a much firmer foundation. The decision to become a lonely angry man drops Valjean down the ladder to the bottom step. The bishop takes Jean in as if he is royalty and treats him well using only the finest of things, yet Jean betrays his trust. His choices have caused his dramatic turn around, but Valjean is unable still to look at himself with the same eyes that forgave Jarvert. As Jean is being taken to prison for trying to feed his hungry family, the bitterness of poverty slowly begins to evolve into a raging anger of injustice. The anger, having nineteen years to fester, begins to block his good judgment and gives Valjean a loathing distrust for people in general. Thus the more bumps in the road, the tougher the feet are that travel down it. he way, but through mistakes, he finds his bearings. This revelation of his place in this world, makes Jean's life seem worthwhile after all. He lets this anger multiply until it can no longer be held in and then it shows outward as pure evil. When finally, as Jean feels the vibrant life that he holds so dearly drifting dimly away, his angel (Cossette) appears to him. A promise that, considering his given past, could have easily been broken; yet Jean reaches through the gallies and this time rises above all others' expectations. Grief causes strength and that strength is great, great enough to hold the burdens of the world when bound together by love. Strength is the result of carefully planted choices that have blossomed and bloomed ten-fold the effort that is applied. Learning to love oneself is the "greatest gift of all.
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