The Candlesticks
~Blog Post #5~
Topic G
May 15, 2015
by Jonathan Paulson
In the novel of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, the main character of Jean Valjean experiences dramatic changes early on in the story. It is written that a bishop of the town Jean Valjean is in takes Jean into his home instead of shooing the longtime convict away. This kindness by a man of God is not the only encounter with God Jean Valjean will experience in the book, but it is the first. Jean Valjean appreciates the generosity he is being show, but he cannot escape the criminal he is. Sleeping in the bishop’s house, Jean Valjean wakes in the night to rob the bishop and escape out a window. This usually would be seen as nothing more than petty thievery, but something Jean Valjean takes from the bishop becomes a symbol for Jean Valjean throughout the entire book, the candlesticks. The bishop actually goes “to the mantelpiece, took the two candlesticks, and brought them to Jean Valjean” even though the night before Jean had just stolen from him (33). The symbolism of the candlesticks seems shallow at first, but with thought, is actually quite deep. The main job of a candlestick is to hold a candle, an object whose purpose is to give off light. In religious terms, light is most often used as a symbol of a spiritual awakening or opening of one’s eyes to the light of God. It is fitting for the bishop to use this symbol to light up Jean Valjean’s soul which he “withdraw[s] it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God” (33). The candlesticks being silver is also a symbol for the purity of the new soul Jean Valjean is being introduced to as silver is commonly known as shiny and perfect. These candlesticks, once given to Jean Valjean, are referenced throughout the rest of the book to remind the reader and Jean Valjean of the change he makes to his life and to those of the people around him.
I like your symbolism a lot. This, in my opinion, is probably one of the most referenced and important symbols throughout the novel. I think that it symbolizes a lot more, however. I believe that it symbolizes Jean Valjean's past and how it, like the candlesticks, have remained with him throughout the entire novel. Just when we think that Jean Valjean has changed from his criminal past, another scene appears and that part of his life returns. Like you said with the bishop, we see that Jean Valjean is thankful to the bishop. It seems like he has moved on, but then steals the silver. After, he is sorry for stealing from the bishop, but then goes and steals the money from the boy. Another example is when Jean Valjean turns himself in when the other man is put on trial, but he then goes to escape from prison. Throughout the novel, we continue to see Jean Valjean's past return, as do the candlesticks.
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