Another character who has always interested me is Javert. Upon meeting this determined officer of the law, we learn several things about him. Javert was born in a prison (his mother a fortuneteller and his father a criminal), and he felt that he was forever doomed to remain on the fringes of society. At the same time, Javert was making an observation: "society closes its doors, without pity, on two classes of men: those who attack it and those who guard it; he could choose between these two classes only" (Hugo 54). As anyone who has seen the musical or read the book knows, he very firmly places himself on the side of the law. He goes to great lengths to remain there, despite the de facto exile from society.
Javert's character is defined by his strongest views - he respects and admires authority, and hates rebellion. This love of authority is what leads to his determination to abide by and enforce the law, no matter what the situation may be. His hatred of rebellion is what leads to him becoming an officer in the first place. Javert considers "theft, murder, all crimes" (Hugo 55) to be forms of rebellion. His hatred of rebellion, then, is naturally a large part of why he is so determined to stop the revolution that the Friends of the ABC begin. If all crimes are forms of rebellion, then to Javert an actual rebellion must be the most criminal act of all.
In any other story, Javert likely would have been a character the reader can say is a "good guy," albeit an unlikeable one. His determination to do right by the law would be something to admire. However, most of the likeable characters in Les Miserables are not the good, law abiding citizens who would think of Javert as being on their side. Jean Valjean is an escaped convict. Fantine is forced to turn to prostitution to support her daughter. The Friends of the ABC are staging a rebellion. Since all of these sympathetic characters clash with Javert and his black and white view of the world, it is only natural that we as readers find him a bit distasteful. Do you think that Javert could have been a "good guy," or is he too strict for even a law abiding citizen?
Ah, you have hit the nail on the head! I know Russell Crow took a beating because he was not a master singer, but I still found him incredibly compelling. It was his views that were found questionable, but they were the views of the majority. Are his views lessoned because he is not likable? Can that idea be applied to people in current events? It is easy to discount the views of the "Fox Network Pundits" because they are such unpleasant people. It is difficult for me to even listen to their views. What does that say about me? What does that say about the power of charisma and charm?
ReplyDeleteAnother conflict that Hugo explores so well is the idea of extremes. Javert is extreme in his views, so he cannot bend. Even if his views are correct, they are not right for the situation. My students and I argue all the time about the role of law in society. They don't understand the idea of an exact line that cannot be crossed. If they have a need, they should be able to cross the line without consequence. Most people don't agree with that idea, until they have a personal need themselves.
You make me want to go back and read this again . . . in my spare time!
I think you make a great point about how someone's likeability effects our opinion of them and our willingness to listen to their views. I also really like your example about your students, because it definitely applies here as well. Valjean is a good, law-abiding citizen when it suits him, but he doesn't hesitate to break the law when he feels justified in doing so. If he feels that he is morally in the right, Valjean will bend the rules or cross the line in a heartbeat.
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