The Barricade
~Blog post #5~
Topic E
May 15, 2015
By: Lauren Caffarelli
Les Miserables is set during the
French Revolution. During this particular scene, the Revolutionary army creates
a barricade to fight against the French army. The barricade represents
an obstacle for Jean Valjean, but no matter what obstacle he faces he displays
compassion for others.
When Jean Valjean, wearing his
National Guard dress first arrives to the barricade, he offers his uniform to a
father so this stranger can return to his family without being killed by the
army. By doing this Jean Valjean relinquishes any chance of returning
home safely because without his uniform he no longer can prove that he is on
the French side. He sacrifices himself
to save someone else.
At this point, the revolution
authorities are holding Javert hostage because they believe he is a
spy. They are worried that the French army will attack so the leader
orders Javert's execution. Jean Valjean volunteers himself to carry out
the killing. However, he cuts the rope and says to Javert' "You are
free." In addition, he gives Javert his address in case Javert wants
to arrest him. He understands why Javert has been hunting him down,
but Jean Valjean doesn't want to kill him because he doesn't want the regret of
taking anyone’s life. He has turned his life around from the galleys and
doesn't want to go back.
Jean Valjean saves a third life,
Marius. His initial reason for coming to the barricade is to save Marius
for Cosette. Retrieving Marius after he has been shot, Jean Valjean
carries him through a sewer all the way home. Even though he has not been
a supporter of Cosette and Marius's relationship because he doesn't want to
lose Cosette, he saves Marius because he understands how much he means to
Cosette.
In all three situations, he puts
others before himself. Jean Valjean is truly a changed man from the
beginning of the book. Instead of taking advantage of others for the
benefit of himself, Jean Valjean saves others through personal sacrifice.
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