Les Miserables
“To err is human, to forgive divine.” This concept has become more comprehensible and within the reach of my mental grasp by the characters and story of Les Miserables. I have always understood and accepted justice as a stern and exacting taskmaster who accepts nothing less than complete fulfillment of law. There is no compassion or sympathy when there are consequences to be meted out by justice. He is a ruthless hunter who demands his due. There seems to be no escaping the consequences of sin, and so therefore, humanity is a lost cause because we are all fallen beings. However, there is a principle that no mere mortal could have ever conceived of… the divine principle of mercy. I have never understood the concept of justice and mercy fully, yet at a very deep level Victor Hugo shed light on these principles which has led me to firmly trust in the miracle of forgiveness. I have always believed that justice should trump mercy when it comes to transgression and wrongdoing. I instinctively want to see criminals pay for their crime, wrongs to be righted, restitution paid fully and it angers me when the “bad guy gets away”. “Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth” is a natural judgment and it seems fair and right. “Turning the other cheek” goes against the grain of human nature. But I have had a realization that the compassion of mercy is a higher law and within it are redemptive qualities. This understanding has brought about a new sympathy for “sinners” and consequently for myself. I have become aware of the benevolence of God towards his children as we struggle with this mortal clay and earthly experience.
The juxtaposition of justice and mercy were played out in Les Miserables in such a way that it became apparent how liberation from tyranny and sin is a struggle that is experienced at a macro and micro level. The society of France revolting against the oppression of the king seemed like an insurmountable challenge to overcome. But with devotion and unity, a people can throw off the chains of slavery put on by a dictatorship. It is not easily done and the cost is very high, but freedom and liberty are priceless.
On an individual level, Jean Valjean was continually faced with choices which seemed outrageously difficult to grapple with, and he became aware that he could not escape the condemning consequences of sin. The significance of the silver candlesticks and how it purchased a man’s soul was poignant. Just as Christ was sold for a bit of silver, Jean Valjean was bought. The bishop had the ability to see a criminal and recognize the infinite worth of the person. Thus by seeing his soul and extending mercy, he had the ability to change the path Valjean was on and was an impetus in making it possible for God to change the nature of an outcast of society. Valjean recognized his corrupt morals and as he wrestled with pride, shame, and self-justification he was able to come off conqueror because of the mercy extended to him. The price of his soul was greater to him than anything in this world even when he was faced with losing his freedom and going back to prison which was a living hell that stripped him of his humanity. He knew that he could not escape the ultimate judge and could not live with the torment of a damned soul. Because of his choices, he was ultimately free and could live with peace and a clear conscience before God.
As I read Fantine’s story, I thought about virtue and the price which is paid for immoral behavior. Fantine was indebted her entire life for her summer love affair. Her dream of love, family, and home was destroyed because of the sin which resulted in an illegitimate child. Overwhelming challenges presented themselves to Fantine over and over again and she sank under the weight of her circumstances. She lost everything ….her beauty, her livelihood, her self-respect, judgment and dignity. She tried to make her life acceptable and take care of her child by being completely self-reliant and in doing so, she did not appeal to mercy or a higher authority for help. Justice was cruel to her from the decisions that she made and she never recovered the right of mercy because of continuous error until the very end. Ultimately, she sacrificed her life because of the choice's she made and she was bound by shame and despair. Yet, just as the woman taken in adultery was forgiven and shown mercy, so was Fantine given hope and kindness by Jean Valjean as he showed compassion and comfort while she suffered.
Marius represents many “believers” of the faith----belief in word but not in deed. For example, he incrementally shut out Jean Valjean and in doing so rent a huge void in the life of his family. He did not know that Valjean was his savior and that Valjean had carried him thru the bowels of the earth, walked through a filthy mire, and was almost crushed under the weight of carrying the lifeless body of Marius. In this manner he rescued a helpless being from sure death by his super-human strength and he did this because of love for Cossette. Marius didn’t recognize or appreciate the sacrifice that restored him to life. In return for this amazing deed and without asking for anything, not even recognition of the fact, Valjean was slowly cast out of the presence of the person he loved the most. This in turn broke Valjean’s heart and he was alone and had no one to call his friend which ultimately killed him. Fortunately, the truth was discovered and Marius turned his affection and love towards Valjean and called him Father once again. Valjean’s prayer of reconciliation was answered and he died in peace with Cossette by his side.
Justice and mercy are immutable laws of the universe. The claim of justice can have no hold upon a person if he is willing to reach out for lifesaving mercy. Jean Valjean’s redemption and how the grace of God transformed him from a brutish and lowly creature into a divine individual was a story that penetrated my soul and gave me a new insight into the work of Deity. Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, Les Miserables, is a healing story that needs to be told over and over again in order to bring peace into the lives of the hopeless and to comfort the weary sojourners of this earth. I believe that this book has the power to change lives, because it changed mine. I have learned that mercy has emancipating qualities and that I want to make my appeal to God for mercy and accept the extended hand of grace and forgiveness. In addition, I must be willing to forgive freely and let justice be according to God’s will. Holding on to sorrow for previous mistakes and depending on oneself for saving grace will keep a person from moving forward. This has the effect of descending into despair. We cannot save ourselves, contrary to popular belief, yet there is hope through a redeeming power that we cannot comprehend. I also recognized the deep and abiding love of Jean Valjean for his beloved Cosette and how he only wanted her to have peace and joy. I am sure that this is how our Father on High feels about his children on earth. From the musical Les Miserables, the prayer of Jean Valjean is also my hope, ‘God on High, Hear my Prayer, In my need, You have always been there…Bring me home’. By trusting in the divine quality of mercy and allowing absolute justice to be God’s, we can become new creatures and emerge into glorious beings. Copyright L.L. Williams