Essay Sample: Les Miserables Importance of Love and Compassion

The relationship between law and love is arguably the most important connection in Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. Throughout the novel, characters work tirelessly to find a balance between the two; and in many instances, let themselves become too heavily influenced by one, causing a great deal of suffering. Two characters in particular struggle with this balance: Jean Valjean, the story’s protagonist, and Javert, the antagonist. Javert strives to be a feared symbol of the French Judicial System, and believes that life should be guided by a strict adherence to the law. Valjean wants to be loved, but discovers that finding love is an impossible thing to do while being lawful. Jean Valjean and Javert’s dueling relationship and eventual understanding symbolizes the difficulty of finding balance between law and love, and the prosperity that comes from finding that stability.

Throughout the story, both Jean Valjean and Javert attempt to do what they envision “good” to be. To Jean Valjean, this is protecting Cosette, the orphaned daughter of Fantine, aiding the homeless and helpless, and leading by example. Javert does his version of “good” by upholding the law, and tracking down criminals who he believes are deserving of a sentence. “In each of their encounters, Javert reminds Valjean that he is a dangerous criminal who will always return to committing crime,” says Jonathan Simon, a professor of law at Berkeley. “Of course, the reader has no problem deciding which side justice and morality are on. To my observation, nobody roots for Javert to catch Valjean and return him to prison. We all want Jean Valjean to remain free.” (Simon) As expressed in the quotation, the reader is expected to agree with Jean Valjean’s philosophies, rather than Javert’s. This implies that most people side with love, and are critical of those who let themselves be overtaken by lawfulness.

In order to understand Javert’s fanatical obsession with justice, and Jean Valjean’s fearfulness of it, we must understand the French Judicial System and its structure. French law can be categorized into two systems: common and civil. “Common law systems are ones that have evolved over the ages, and are largely based on consensus and precedent. Civil law systems are largely based on a Code of Law.” (Guinchard) Javert and Les Miserables as a whole focus primarily on Civil law, as the majority of the judicial aspects of the story are centered around Jean Valjean’s criminal acts. Guinchard goes on to say that French cases during the Revolution were presided over by Juges, also known as Magistrats, whose duty it was to conduct and investigate the case at hand, and find a lawful and justified solution. The French Constitution states, “When the act is verified, the Judge may impose a sentence only when there is a positive law decreeing such a sentence, and this law must be referred to in the judgment.” (Article 34) The code then goes on to say, “[The guilty plaintiff] loses all or part of his rights as a citizen while he serves his sentence. However, he retains his human rights at all times. Insulting or mistreating him is an act of cowardice and a punishable offense.” (French Constitution, Article 38) However, “If a man has been found innocent, society must provide him with compensation because he has suffered alone for the security of all.” (French Constitution, Article 37) Evidently, the French civil justice system was a feared establishment throughout the French Revolution and the decades that followed. Javert worked relentlessly to uphold French Law and instill and maintain the fear that the nation associated with the judicial system throughout that period.

France’s judicial system is an integral device in Les Miserables, and can be given credit for Jean Valjean’s transformation from bread thief to feared criminal. However, Valjean’s fear of the system is what ultimately leads him to a life guided by doing the right thing. Professor Simon Jonathan describes Valjean’s interactions with justice, and the symbolism behind them. “Valjean — who broke the law only to save a child and is himself saved by the mercy and forgiveness of a priest — embodies the ideal of justice as humanity. While his criminality seems confirmed by his committing a crime soon after being released from prison, he devotes the rest of his life to hard honest work and to helping others.” (Simon) Jean Valjean’s transformation from criminal to respected politician does not stem from a sudden goodness, but arises as a result of the fear that his past experiences with the judicial system have instilled in him. Jean Valjean becomes an incredibly caring man. However, he allows himself to become too consumed by his love, much like Javert’s obsessive obedience. “Love has no middle term; either it destroys, or it saves. All human destiny is this dilemma. This dilemma, destruction or salvation, no fate proposes more inexorably than love. Love is life, if it is not death.” (Hugo 340) In Jean Valjean’s case, the power of his love is the cause of his death.

Similarly to Jean Valjean, Javert’s dedication to his beliefs is what destroys him. “Javert embodies the ideal of justice as strict adherence to law.  Although surrounded by evidence that the savage inequalities of French society makes the protection of the law a cruel hoax, Javert believes that there can never be a greater priority than obedience. Javert also believes that once a criminal, always a criminal.” (Simon)  It is this black and white mentality that leads to the officer’s suicide. The mercy that Jean Valjean shows him confuses him, and forces him to understand the morals behind Valjean’s actions. Javert’s inability to catch and imprison Jean Valjean represents the repellent forces surrounding law and love. “To commit the least possible sin is the law for man. To live without sin is the dream of an angel. Everything terrestrial is subject to sin. Sin is a gravitation.” (Hugo, 11) Javert’s belief that he can do no wrong if he is lawful is the reason for his death, because he is incapable of experiencing love.

Jean Valjean and Javert’s opposing views create a lifelong rivalry, a representation of the dueling forces of law and love. It is impossible to decide which belief system is correct, because in the cases of both Jean Valjean and Javert, their obsessive morals are the cause of their demise. The only way to possibly find a balance between lawfulness and love is to allow yourself to be open to both. Unfortunately, Valjean and Javert allowed themselves to become too dominated by one than the other, whether their actions were purposeful or accidental, and ended up suffering as a result of their close mindedness.