Colleen Kadowaki
Molyneaux
English-B
1 May 2015
Sacrifice for Love
In
the novel, Les Miserables, Marius’s
father, Georges Pontmercy, “[sacrifices] his own happiness [for] the
future of his child” (163). It is necessary to know this history to understand
Marius’s actions. All his life Marius is told that his father abandoned him and
he began to “think of his father only with shame and with a closed heart”
(162). What really happens is Georges is made to stay away by the Gillenormand. Georges stays away so his son will have a better opportunity
to live his life. Even though Georges has to cut communication, it does not
stop him from seeing Marius even though Marius does not know it. Marius does
not know nor understand the sacrifice his father is making. Georges makes an
agreement with Gillenormand that makes sure Marius will receive inheritance
from his family and will not be cut off. Until the church warden tells Marius
that his father has secretly been coming to see him, Marius begins to be
curious about his father. The fact that Georges risked being seen by Aunt
Gillenormand just to see his son shows how deeply he really cares for him.
Also, the way Georges agreed to stay out of Marius’s life is a huge sacrifice. It
shows that Georges is caring and he truly wants his son to have a better
future. Twice a year Georges is allowed to write Marius “very tender letters,
which the grandfather thrust into his pocket without reading” (163). Clearly
Georges is doing what he believes is best for his son because he loves him and
he wants Marius to know that he loves him and did not abandon him.
I think it is important to stress that Georges thinks he is giving Marius a better life. He would rather have his son grow up in a well off home than live in poverty with him. Georges places his son in front of himself, and he tries to find the best option for Marius. While looking to help his son, he forgets that his love is just as important as money. He believes the best option is to give him to his father-in-law because then Marius will be guaranteed a large inheritance. Although Marius is given wealth out of this situation, he doesn't receive the love and support he should. In the end, he is more miserable because he never knew the truth about his father, and he loses respect for his grandfather. It can be hard to see the bigger picture when you are focusing on finding the perfect option.
ReplyDelete