Devorah Schwartz Mrs. Davis English May 5, 2016
Jean Valjean’s Struggles
Even after a sinner changes his evil ways and returns to an honest lifestyle, life is not easy; he still faces many moral dilemmas which, will act as a catalyst to strengthen his dedication to his improved character. In Les Miserables, Victor Hugo depicts the constant struggle to be moral in the cruel society of nineteenth-century France. Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, repents from his ungodly ways when a bishop shows him kindness and compassion. After committing himself to God, the journey to become a better person has just begun. Between being constantly pursued by Javert, an unsympathetic officer who seeks only justice, and trying to spare himself …show more content…
This occurs when Father Frauchelevant, an old townsperson, falls underneath his wagon and no one is able to or willing to help him out. Jean Valjean is known to have prodigious strength, but his role as the mayor of his town does not. If he saves Frauchelevant, he may be discovered by Javert, and sent to the torturous galleys for life. If he stands back and does nothing, he will have let a man die, but save his own skin in the process. It is made apparent how dangerous his saving Fracuchelevant would be when Valjean, “raised his head, met the falcon eye of Javert, still fixed upon him.” Despite the possibility of being caught, Jean Valjean decides to risk his own identity to save this man. He succeeds, but not without catching the attention of Javert, who has witnessed Jean Valjean’s strength in prison. Indeed, this is a dangerous discovery that forces Jean Valjean to confess his identity later …show more content…
After discovering that Cosette is in love with Marius, a revolutionary, he is deeply upset that he will one day have to part from his cherished daughter. In a letter that Jean Valjean discovers states, “Our marriage was impossible... you know the promise I gave you? I keep it, I die, I love you.” He sees that this letter is from Marius. Marius tells Cosette he will be going to fight for France in the barricades and will surely die. Jean Valjean should be overwhelmed with joy; now he does not have to give up his beloved daughter to any other man. However, Jean Valjean once again refuses to sit back and choose the easiest option, instead, he goes all the way to the barricades and rescues Marius, who has been shot and is a bloody, grimy mess. He trudges with Marius on his back for miles, through sewers, past thieves, and yet he does not give up. He constantly is devoted to God and to the Bishop for opening up the door to a good and righteous existence. As a result, he is able to make the moral and good decisions in the situations that he is put in.
After Jean Valjean has repented and become an honest man, he is confronted with many situations that test his values and convictions. Fortunately, he has the strength to withstand the struggles and stay strong in his devotion to God. Be it sacrificing his life, his identity
Jean Valjean’s Struggles
Even after a sinner changes his evil ways and returns to an honest lifestyle, life is not easy; he still faces many moral dilemmas which, will act as a catalyst to strengthen his dedication to his improved character. In Les Miserables, Victor Hugo depicts the constant struggle to be moral in the cruel society of nineteenth-century France. Jean Valjean, an ex-convict, repents from his ungodly ways when a bishop shows him kindness and compassion. After committing himself to God, the journey to become a better person has just begun. Between being constantly pursued by Javert, an unsympathetic officer who seeks only justice, and trying to spare himself …show more content…
This occurs when Father Frauchelevant, an old townsperson, falls underneath his wagon and no one is able to or willing to help him out. Jean Valjean is known to have prodigious strength, but his role as the mayor of his town does not. If he saves Frauchelevant, he may be discovered by Javert, and sent to the torturous galleys for life. If he stands back and does nothing, he will have let a man die, but save his own skin in the process. It is made apparent how dangerous his saving Fracuchelevant would be when Valjean, “raised his head, met the falcon eye of Javert, still fixed upon him.” Despite the possibility of being caught, Jean Valjean decides to risk his own identity to save this man. He succeeds, but not without catching the attention of Javert, who has witnessed Jean Valjean’s strength in prison. Indeed, this is a dangerous discovery that forces Jean Valjean to confess his identity later …show more content…
After discovering that Cosette is in love with Marius, a revolutionary, he is deeply upset that he will one day have to part from his cherished daughter. In a letter that Jean Valjean discovers states, “Our marriage was impossible... you know the promise I gave you? I keep it, I die, I love you.” He sees that this letter is from Marius. Marius tells Cosette he will be going to fight for France in the barricades and will surely die. Jean Valjean should be overwhelmed with joy; now he does not have to give up his beloved daughter to any other man. However, Jean Valjean once again refuses to sit back and choose the easiest option, instead, he goes all the way to the barricades and rescues Marius, who has been shot and is a bloody, grimy mess. He trudges with Marius on his back for miles, through sewers, past thieves, and yet he does not give up. He constantly is devoted to God and to the Bishop for opening up the door to a good and righteous existence. As a result, he is able to make the moral and good decisions in the situations that he is put in.
After Jean Valjean has repented and become an honest man, he is confronted with many situations that test his values and convictions. Fortunately, he has the strength to withstand the struggles and stay strong in his devotion to God. Be it sacrificing his life, his identity