Naton YeVal
Mr. Pickles
Eng.
January 14, 1997
Les Miserables
Naton NeVal
Mr. Pickles
English
January 14, 1997
Les
Miserables
Set in 19th century France, Victor Hugo's
historical novel, Les Miserables, portrays the protagonist, Jean Valjean, in
his struggle with his past. Even in the
face of societal condemnation, he sacrifices himself repeatedly for his loved
ones as well for his moral and political convictions. Throughout the novel, Jean must redeem his
character proving his ability to be trustworthy, selfless, and loyal.
Throughout this novel, Jean Valjean proves to
himself and to his town that he is trustworthy. Jean Valjean promises a mother,
Fatine, on her deathbed that he will bring her daughter back, and fulfills his
promise:
On the evening of the same day that Jean
Valjean had
rescued Cossete from the clutches of the
Thenardiers.. (95)
The child is Cossete, she was given away to
the Thenadiers, a family that deceives Fantine, and uses her daughter for labor
and money. Later in the novel, Jean
Valjean meets a family in poverty, by the name of the Jondrettes. He promises
them that he will give them money for the payment of there house. He brings
them money, and because of him, they have the fortunate opportunity to stay
under a roof.
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In another
incident Jean Valjean, receives a exclusive letter from Marius, a young man
that is in love with Cossete. The letter
is addressed to Cossete, and even though Jean Valjean regrets the possibility
of Cossete leaving him, he turns the letter over to her. Jan Valjean proves that he does not have a
mind of a criminal and could be trustworthy.
Jean Valjean shows that he does not care about
himself, and that he has only a dedication on helping others. When Jean Valjean first enters the city of
M____ sur M____ he goes to drastic measures by pulling two children from a
burning house. Throughout the story Jean
Valjean risks being identified by the officials and death by taking Cossete to better residences:
Jean Valjean. when he fell into the sea or
rather when he
threw himself
into it.. He swam underwater to a ship anchor
to which a boat
was fastened. concealed himself in the boat.
finally reached
Paris. to resuce Cossete from the clutches of the
Theinardes.(95)
In another
event, Jean Valjean puts his life in
danger by saving Marius, in a battle that happened in the barricades. Valjean still risks his life to others, even
though he went through the hardships
during his prison sentence.
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The availability
of Valjean's loyalty still exist. He
regains this characteristic several times in the novel. When Valjean exists the dark doors of
prison, he receives advice from a noble bishop.
The bishop asks him to be honest and he is forever loyal to the bishops
words :
Father Madeline
employed everybody; he had only one
condition.
"Be a honest man" .. "Be a honest woman".
(90)
In another
occurrence Jan Valjean shows that he is loyal to his people and his community
by investing all his fortunes in restoring it.
In another occurrence, Jean Valjean is placed in a event which he can
take the life of his foe, Javert. He
shows that he is loyal to his word by not killing no man and he lets Javert
go. Jan Valjean projects that he is
loyal and not a criminal, with no morals.
Throughout the novel, Jean must redeem his
character proving his ability to be trustworthy, selfless, and loyal. . Within the story, Jean Valjean shows that the
thoughts of the people and the government are against him, but during the story
he proves them wrong. Jan Valjean shows
that 19 years in prison, and that he can
still be a good human being with characteristics of trustworthiness,
selflessness, and loyalty.
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