Colleen Kadowaki
Molyneaux
English-B
17 April 2015
Transformation or Transfiguration
In Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables,"
Jean Valjean experiences major changes in life in order to become the honest man
the bishop sees inside of him. In the beginning of the novel, Jean is a raggedy
middle aged man who cares only for himself. He is bitter and the people
of the town distrust him because of his past. When he steals the silver from
the bishop, it is clear that Jean is still the same man from the galleys;
however, after the kindness from the bishop and his "adventure with Petit
Gervais...he [is] another man" (72). In order to begin his journey to
becoming an honest man, he changes both physically and emotionally. His only
two thoughts are "to conceal his name and to sanctify his life" (72).
Jean wants be free of his haunting past and that is why he changes his ways and
sets a goal to "save not his body, but his soul" (74). A new name and
a new reputation as mayor help him get a fresh start. All these little
differences help make Jean a new man, but the biggest way Jean shows that he
changes is when he steps up and does not let an innocent man be blamed for his
mistakes. It shows how much he has grown as a person because the old Jean would
have never had the courage to come clean like the new Jean does. It is
clear that Jean not only undergoes a "transformation," but a
"transfiguration" (72).
Caitlin Cook
ReplyDeleteMolyneaux
Honors English- B
19 April 2015
Transfiguration
I agree with all that you said. The point that you brought up about the honest man that the bishop sees inside of Jean is very good. I believe that this is a cause of his change because it proves to him that he is a better man than he has come to see himself as. The bishop’s beliefs come true because Jean eventually becomes the honest man that the bishop has “desired”(72). Also, your statement about how the change in Jean is not only a transformation, but a transfiguration is very true. He completely changes into an honest man, and leaves his old self behind.
I would give this post an A-. You had good evidence but often summarized the material rather than analyzing it. Everything was well-organized and easy to understand.
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