What Is The Main Conflict In Jean Valjean

During this period in French history, the nobility was starting to gain power and prestige, and this power presented the king with a problem: he needed to have strong nobles to strengthen his realm by extension. However, he still had to maintain power and his position of supremacy. Richelieu posits that the king must maintain a firm system of punishments and rewards:”Punishments and rewards are two quite necessary elements in the conduct of states. It is an ordinary allegation, but more true, and often repeated by all men, that rewards and punishments are the two most important tools of government available in a realm.” This system played on the honor obsession the nobility had, and strengthened the kingship at the same time. If one helped the king, they were rewarded with more honor and a higher position; if they resisted, they lost everything. This strengthened the kingship as well. Those he rewarded would be assets to the kingdom, while those he punished would serve as warnings to those who considered resisting.

From the moment on he dedicated his life solely to her, to protecting her from the sorrows of poverty. From that moment he could no longer be Jean Valjean, or Monsieur Madeleine, he had to start his life over once again and Cosette was all he had in it. He sacrificed in order to gain self-approval and the ability to forgive himself.

Because it is discovered that she has an illegitimate child, she is fired so she does not influence the young girls she works with. The woman in charge of the factory quickly judge Fantine for making one mistake and label her a prostitute. Once her story gets out in the small town, she is unable to get a real job. Needing money to support herself and Cosette, she resorts to prostitution. When attacked, Javert arrests her and tells Valjean and Fantine that she is in the wrong. Javert believes that Fantine is always going to be a prostitute and should be put in prison.

In Les Miserables and The Kite Runner a big theme is a feeling of illegitimacy. In Les Miserables Jean rescues Cosette from the Thenardiers and this creates a father daughter bond that neither one questions until Marius comes along. When Marius finds out Jean is an ex-convict his tries to separate Cosette and Jean, but still honors Jean’s request to keep this from Cosette, this is the first time that Jean really feels that he is not Cosette’s actual father and has no right to keep seeing her if it is against Marius’ wishes. This creates a rift between the two because Jean feels like an illegitimate father. Things are not fixed between the two until Marius figures out that Jean is not a murderer or a thief and he allows Cosette to go to Jean’s deathbed.

In the middle of the book, Jean Valjean has saved a young girl named Cosette and raised her as his daughter after her mother died. These actions also have a redeeming effect on Jean Valjean, as he put his promise to the girl’s mother before his own safety and escaped from another bout in prison to find the young girl. Jean Valjean does not think this redeems him, however. He is very suspicious and changes their names to hide from the law enforcement. He also became very suspicious and cagey when a young man, Marius, became interested in Cosette. In Marius’s words, he “ began to be less punctual, and did not bring ‘his daughter’ every day” (168). After some time, he and Cosette move away so Marius cannot find them. Jean Valjean thinks he is

Everyone needs someone to love and care for as well as someone who can return that love and care. When Cosette comes into Valjean’s life, it makes him feel something he didn’t feel in a long time, “When he saw Cosette, when he had taken her, carried her away, and rescued her, he felt his heart move” (123). At this point, she becomes more than just a girl but another symbol in Valjean’s

Cosette is abused while staying with the Thendardiers, and she needs someone to redeem her from her life in poverty. The Thénardiers treat Cosette as an object even though Fantine pays on behalf of Cosette. Before Fantine, Cosettes mother, dies; Jean Valjean promises to get Cosette. Jean Valjean pays for Cosette, and he does not realize that he redeems her from abuse, poverty, and suffering. Cosette goes with Jean Valjean, receiving redemption through him, because she could not have it on her own.

Again, social status leads Monsieur Jourdain to think in terms of how to better himself in the eyes of society. He recognizes that Lucile is a crucial element in his quest to become a gentleman, for he lacks the privileged rite of birth that the aristocracy benefit from. His emphasis on social status has driven Monsieur Jourdain to sacrifice his daughter’s preferences for his own personal and selfish gain. Monsieur Jourdain, however, does not view this act as selfish, but rather as necessary. After drawing criticism from his wife for denying Cléonte Lucile’s hand in marriage, Monsieur Jourdain counters, “Those are sentiments that show what a small mind you have – not wanting to better yourself” (226). Monsieur Jourdain realizes that Lucile is his ace in the hole for becoming a member of the elite, and he scolds his wife for not recognizing the great opportunity that Lucile’s marriage can bring them. Again, the thought of social status causes Monsieur Jourdain to degrade his own daughter from a human being, to a mere bargaining chip for his (family’s) benefit.

In the eyes of Valjean he is a kind, caring, and forgiving man. He has repented for his sins and changed his life. He is the epitome of change and reform. I chooses to live in a Valjean world because I believe in second chances and starting over. It is one of the pillars that makes life worth living. Imagine if we were never given a second chance at something, no do-overs, no starting over. All there is, is a lifetime of mistakes and heartache. That does not seem like a pleasant world to live in, yet some people think like that. I personally choose to forgive and forget, it makes life much more pleasurable to live in if there are no grudges being

Cosette is deprived of the love that she desires and deserves. She longs for love and instead receives the opposite. The Thenardiers do not care for Cosette and do not view her as their child, to them she is a servant girl. When Jean Valjean offers to take Cosette away from the Thenardiers, they reply, “Ah monsieur! My good monsieur! Take her, keep her, take her away, carry her off, sugar her, stuff her, drink her, eat her, and be blessed by the holy Virgin and all the saints in paradise!” (154). The Thenardiers want Cosette out of their house, and no longer want the responsibility of taking care of the “imbecile child” (147). It is a blessing to them that this traveler has come to take Cosette away forever. Because of Jean Valjean's good deed, Cosette's life can improve and she can finally experience the emotion of love she longs for. Although Jean Valjean offers Cosette all the love he is capable of giving, it is not enough to satisfy Cosette. She craves for a different, romantic love after she is introduced to Marius. Hugo,

This one event demonstrates the relationship of Valjean and Javert throughout the movie. Valjean stealing and not obeying the law puts a bad impression on Javert because he is the one obeying what the law says. Javert is unsatisfied with Valjean being able to walk away as a

Jean Valjean sacrificed much as he sought redemption. One of the first sacrifices that Jean Valjean makes is that of his identity, during the Champmathieu affair. As Monsieur Madeleine, Jean Valjean was a trusted official in a high position. He struggled with himself when he heard that the ‘real’ Jean Valjean had been caught: should he stay in M—sur m—where he was comfortable and popular, or do the right thing, remove a man from an undeserved galley life, and become a convict once more. When Madeleine revealed himself as Jean Valjean, he forever gave up that comfortable position of authority. He became a convict again – a wanted convict. He would now live out the rest of his life hiding, of not running, from the police. Jean sacrificed his safety. Saving Marius’ life by carrying him through the sewers also proved to be a sacrifice. Jean’s entire existence revolved around Cosette. She was what kept him on the track the bishop set him on. He adored her. He was devastated to learn that she was in love with Marius, yet he saved

Generally, authors compose books that go along with the morals of the audience. So many stories are written today with the typical love story, girl falls in love with guy or vice versa. Others are action packed with a climax and a predictable ending. Victor Hugo took a different stance while writing his book Les Miserables. Hugo's idea of action is presented through Jean Valjean who is held in prison for four years because he stole a loaf of bread. He includes unique love stories unlike the typical ones that we read about. Hugo's main purpose is to challenge people to consider their morals on forgiveness and love.

I believe that Les Miserables is one of the most intricate stories with a plot featuring heroic life of a simple and good man, Jean Valjean, a role performed in the play by Matt Kinley. The original novel to which the play was based on has been my personal favorite since it portrays its lead actor as a morally upright person.

"True redemption is when guilt leads to good" (Khaled Hosseini). Not one person on earth is completely free from wrongs. Humans have lapses in judgement that can hurt them and others. Some people believe you can be redeemed and can put your wrongs behind you, these people are kind and generous. Others believe you have one chance to get it right, these people are often angry and judgmental. There are also those who believe that someone can't be redeemed, but begin to realize that people can change. By looking at the Bishop, Javert, and Jean Valjean and their actions it becomes clear that Les Miserables is a book about redemption coming to those who did wrongs in their past and the behaviors of those who believe and don't believe.