Javert's Leap of Faith

Yes, it's just a leap of faith

For those who haven't read the original book, those who have read the original book and forgot the original book, or who have watched the Les Miserables version for young children, the scene where Javert takes off his hat and puts his stick on the side of the bridge, and jumps with tears in his eyes, will definitely be disturbed. Shocked, I believe that everyone has mixed feelings at the moment. As a viewer who forgot the plot of the original book, let me talk about my feelings about this scene.

From every conversation between Javert and Agen, we can see that Javert is the defender of the law, but the law is unselfish, and there is no humanity in the jurisprudence, which also created Javert's character and belief throughout his life. Sin is sin, this sin has nothing to do with motives, even if it is because of hunger and cold to steal a piece of bread, with evil motives, human nature is evil, all the actions of this person, even good deeds, are to cover up their own evil.

The law is justice, and maintaining the law is doing good, but he also became a silent bystander because of his justice. For example, the prison guards beat the prisoners in the labor camp and enforced the law violently; he became a criminal perpetrator, committing crimes in the name of justice. such as knowing that capturing Fantine would result in a baby losing its mother and becoming an orphan. But all sins are justified in the face of law enforcement

After talking about why Javert is so obsessed with Ajan (now called CP), let's take a look at what happened in the last scene.

Let’s talk about the previous encounters between Agen and Javert. The first time Javert just glanced at Ajean, he knew that he was an extremely dangerous character. I began to wonder about Arang's actions. First, he deliberately injured the prison guard in the prison, and then tried his best to save him. Then he bravely rescued the groom who was under the pressure of the carriage. Then Arang pleaded guilty in court and saved a policeman. A falsely accused person.

Finally, in the revolutionaries' tavern, Agen rescued Javert, told him his address, and asked him to arrest him, completely shaking his former belief that the law is the only justice, and that there is no reason before the law, for the sake of Law enforcement can do whatever it takes. But Aran's actions made him finally admit that people are complex, neither good nor evil, and the law is not perfect, and the sins committed in order to enforce the law are also sins. Therefore, Javert, who was hesitant, let Aran go involuntarily. The first thing he did after returning to the police station was to draft a document, proposing the rules that should be changed and standardized in the police system. This is the first step for him to fully recognize and deny his past self.

Putting down the baton by the bridge implies that Javert has put down his power and majesty, and that he has put down his police cap, implying that Javert has given up his pride and identity. The tears that followed represent Javert's reconciliation with Jean Valjean, with the law, with his own convictions. But this result is beyond his tolerance. When a person completely denies his past self, recognizes his own sins, loses his beliefs, and does something contrary to it, he will not be able to find the meaning of his existence in this world. , so he collapsed, stood on the bridge rail without hesitation, and jumped. A leap called the collapse of faith.

Javert's death was significant, he marked the end of the revolution, the opening of new ideas and the rejection of old ideas. Yes, people cannot stop the torrent of the times. In this new era, there is no need for kings, emperors, nobles, and stubborn law enforcers. This is an era that belongs to the people. .