- Nov 30, 2005
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I spent the weekend hanging, taping and sanding drywall. Drinking lots of beer and listening to Les Misérables over and over. I came up with the premise that the hero of Les Mes is not Jean Valjean.
After all, 24601 is a thief. When he gets out of jail he steals from the Priest who tries to help him. He lies to the police, disobeys the police, attacks the police and runs away, hides, then joins in the revolution against the governement.
On the other hand Javert carries through with his duty without being sidetracked. Plus Javert makes a vow to God to find Valjean and bring him to justice. Then, seeing that Valjean is doing one good deed Javert kills himself in order to allow Valjean to stay free and live his life.
So think about this. Valjean is a criminal many times over. His work in the revolution was for a selfish reason. He wanted to save Marius so Cosette would be happy. Not for Marius' sake, or to further a cause. Just so Cosette would be happy. Sure it looks like Valjean is doing a good deed. But it's for a selfish reason.
Javert, on the other hand, upholds what he sees as goodness and duty with waivering. Only at the end does he falter. Then he breaks his oath to God in order to allow Valjean to live.
So who is the real hero. The one who takes the easy road and only looks out for himself and his "daughter" or the one who risks eternal damnation to do good for someone else?
.
.
.
Okay. Have a six pack then answer again.
After all, 24601 is a thief. When he gets out of jail he steals from the Priest who tries to help him. He lies to the police, disobeys the police, attacks the police and runs away, hides, then joins in the revolution against the governement.
On the other hand Javert carries through with his duty without being sidetracked. Plus Javert makes a vow to God to find Valjean and bring him to justice. Then, seeing that Valjean is doing one good deed Javert kills himself in order to allow Valjean to stay free and live his life.
So think about this. Valjean is a criminal many times over. His work in the revolution was for a selfish reason. He wanted to save Marius so Cosette would be happy. Not for Marius' sake, or to further a cause. Just so Cosette would be happy. Sure it looks like Valjean is doing a good deed. But it's for a selfish reason.
Javert, on the other hand, upholds what he sees as goodness and duty with waivering. Only at the end does he falter. Then he breaks his oath to God in order to allow Valjean to live.
So who is the real hero. The one who takes the easy road and only looks out for himself and his "daughter" or the one who risks eternal damnation to do good for someone else?
.
.
.
Okay. Have a six pack then answer again.
