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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 Bishops 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, there will be more joy in heaven over the tears of a repentant sinner (28). Valjean could have taken this as good advice, or a warning, but it didnt stop him stealing the Bishops candlesticks later on. Predictably, Valjean is caught.
He was brought to the Bishop to confront his victim of theft, but the Bishop chose to deny Valjean's theft, and went along with Valjean's alibi of how the candle sticks were given to him by the Bishop. Valjean's turning point of growth begins after the last words the Bishop shares with him. You belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying from you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts, and from the spirit of perdition. 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.
Eventually, Jean Valjean was faced with a dilemma. He had to make a choice between the death of an innocent man (who is accused of being the convict, Jean Valjean), and his own fate of hiding once again. The only thing that stood in the way for him to make a rational choice, was his promise he made to Fantine (a lower class, ill-fated prostitute). That is, to take care of her daughter after she died. He expressed goodness from then on in every aspect of the novel.
By keeping his promise to Fantine, saving an innocent mans life, not redeeming Javert from his position as inspector (considering he denounced him Jean Valjean before admitted), and not killing Javert when he could have (even though Javert continued to chase him down since he possessed Cossette). Because of the Bishops compassion for Valjean, it influenced Valjean to lead on a better, forgiving life. Jean Valjean started out as a resenting convict, but progressed through letting go of the past, and spreading the compassion that was once given to him so long ago. At least he got what he wanted Cossette, you are happy; my time is full. (312).
I have often been severe in my life towards others. It was just. I did right. Now if I were not severe towards myself, all I have justly done would become injustice (67). Javert defended his belief that he should have been redeemed from his duty as inspector because he unfairly judged his mayor. Javert's main goal from the start of the novel was clearly professional.
He strived for perfection through his self-righteousness and morality as an inspector by trying to capture Jean Valjean. Javert was known to have strong beliefs and morals, and stands by them at every turn. Throughout the novel he has several encounters with Jean Valjean. With each encounter, his anger and determination begins to build up, until his own turning point of growth. Javert's progress as a character was different from other characters, because its actually a downfall that represented his growth. After Jean Valjean spared his life, Javert became convinced of Valjean's progress as a person.
He stepped into the realization that Jean Valjean was no longer the convict he was so long ago, and he has changed for the better. In return (although disobeying his own morals as an inspector), he let him free as well. One thing has astonished him, that Jean Valjean had spared him, and one thing had petrified him, that he, Javert, had spared Jean Valjean. Where was he he? He sought himself and found himself no longer. (282). The narration explains that he lost himself in a way.
That he no longer knew who he was. In conclusion to his downfall, he kills himself. 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. Its 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. Although not all outcomes remain positive, their lives ended for the better of the future. Most of all, they all benefited from each others conclusions.
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Research essay sample on Jean Valjean Turning Point
