Jean Valjean and Javert
Blog Post 5
Topic H
May 15,2015
Tommy Lacher
The relationship between Jean Valjean and Javert, one of constant chasing and rivalry, finally comes to a close. In the Jean Valjean section of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables, Jean Valjean and Javert reach the ultimate turning point in their relationship. At the barricade, Javert is a prisoner of the rebels, caught for spying. He is bound for execution, but then, Jean Valjean arrives. He promptly volunteers to execute Javert for the rebels. After doing this, he drags Javert into an alley, "untied the rope that held the prisoner," pretends to shoot him, and lets him go free (312). This merciful act by Jean Valjean shows that he has forgiven Javert for his relentless chasing and harassment. Later in this section, Javert catches and apprehends Jean Valjean once again while he is helping Marius. Javert then allows Jean Valjean to bring Marius to his family and lets Jean Valjean visit his house. This act, like Jean Valjean allowing Javert to live, is an act of kindness and mercy, but it does not seem so to Javert, He sees this as a breach in his honor and his duty to the police force by not bringing in Jean Valjean right away. To Javert, this is unbearable. He then goes and commits suicide because he does not want to live with this on his mind. This is very similar to Okonkwo from Things Fall Apart. In this novel, Okonkwo kills himself because he feels like he failed his family and tribe. Another thing that this can be related to is the Japanese ritual of seppuku, killing oneself for failure and dishonor, like the dishonor Javert felt after allowing Jean Valjean to help Marius and go to his house rather than bringing him to prison right away. This is the end of the relationship between Jean Valjean and Javert. There is no more chase. There is no more harassment.
No comments:
Post a Comment