Les Miserables: Chp. 4-6

[historicula]

It's been almost three months since I last made a Les Mis post. ... That's just sad.

Chp. 4
Not much to say about Chp. 4 except that Fantine sees what she wants to see instead of what's really there. However, I did find this description interesting: "...the setting sun glowed over their joy, and nothing could be as enchanting as this caprice of

Comments

[jackspade64]

Reading this again, I've realized one of the reasons I have trouble with Javert: not all of Hugo's description of his character seems to fit what we see.

I'm thinking specifically of what you've quoted above about the pup devouring the rest of its litter. Sure Javert wouldn't think twice about putting law/punishment before any loyalties to friend or family, but the pup metaphor makes me thinking of a blood-thirsty individual set on destroying or dominating others. I may be misunderstanding the metaphor, or perhaps Javert proves to have these qualities later, but as of right now he hardly seems the type.

[historicula]

See, I interpreted the "wolf" metaphor more as natural instinct as opposed to vicious intent. The pup in the metaphor doesn't kill his siblings out of maliciousness, or even an attempt at dominance. He does it because it is in his nature to do so. Hugo seems to be saying that Javert is the same regarding people - "devouring" in this case being synonymous with legal action.

But it's true that what is said about Javert doesn't always match up with his actions. Javert gets a lot more word play, and especially contradictory wordplay, then any of Hugo's other characters. Which is confusing, but also interesting. Personally, I think it gives Javert more depth.

[jackspade64]

Huh. (again)

Maybe you're right about the instinct/viciousness thing.

Hmmm. Hmmm. Will invest more thinks into this.

--

But for now, there may be another aspect of that metaphor worth noting. The fact that he's the type of pup the mother kills. That is, what a reflection on his reception by society and quite accurate that not only is there an instinct in him to "devour" but an instinct in the rest to revolt against his presence, his nature.

Even if Hugo didn't intend for the metaphor to be taken that far, the comparison seems spot on.

[historicula]

Agreed. There is something in us, i.e. human society, that rebels against the uncompromising instinct Javert represents. The real question is why.