can't really think of anything right now, except that my computer just ate my CD. I'm just sick of coming here and seeing the Mere Christianity post over and over again. Nothing against Mere Christianity of course. oh, and btw, it came in the mail with the Screwtape Letters just before vacation, but I haven't been able to open it yet.
So my profound thought for this post (it's village square, so it has to be important) is this:
If you've read Les Miserable, you'll have a clue what I'm talking about. Otherwise, you probably won't. first of all, was Jean Valjean right in turning himself in at the beginning of the book? Look at this just from the beginning, not knowing how it all turns out. On the one hand, clear his conscience but be a villain to the world, abandon all of the people he is supporting, a whole city, to ruin itself as it chooses, lose Fantine and Cosette, and all this to be "like the bishop." On the other hand, save the city, continue as he has in his righteous ways, find Cosette, save Fantine's life most probably, but condemn an innocent man to take his place.
I don't mean to sound hypocritical, or critical for that matter, but he deliberated over it for so long, made himself sick over this decision, I thought it might be worth spending a little time on. remember, this is not knowing how the rest of the book turns out. just assume that he would be sent back to the galleys.
Secondly, with as far as he's come, isn't it terribly selfish to want Cosette to remain ugly, just so no one else will gain her love? He left the convent just for her, so she could see the world, and then he does everything to block this part of the world called love from her, except love of him. and he uses everything he's already been through/done to justify it. It just struck me as terribly selfish.
so there's your new post. somebody else's turn now. and who can add Lucy and Lindy?
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13 comments:
anna has to add the butlers, i'm rather clueless.
i think what hugo is trying to do is point out that the obvious 'christian' thing to do of turning yourself in to the law may or may not be right. it is a dilemma, when can you take the law into your own hands?
when does abandoning the ones you love to give yourself justice the right thing to do?
when is it right to disobey?
i love the bishop, his ability to give unmeasurably...wow. what an example and a brilliant character.
about cosette...i don't know. a protection of innocence, perhaps? why? he doesn't want to happen what has happened to him? selfishness? i don't think it's selfishness. i haven't read it in a long time, so i don't remember.
Hmm, That is a tough question. I think that all and all, it was best that Jean Valjean turned himself in, for that other man. The city wasn't going to blow up or something the moment he wasn't mayor. Hopefully the good influence he had over it would continue.
ok, this is weird. I'm farther in now, (btw Hugo does say Jean Valjean was seriously selfish, in his opinion, and he created him so...) and they are at the barricade, and Enjolras makes five men leave because the "suicide" they are about to commit by staying there would affect others, their wives and siblings and children whom they support.
So this goes back to Jean Valjean I think: stay for something you believe in, or leave for something you believe in?
of course they're not exactly the same, because in the case of the barricades it didn't affect anyone if they left, like with Jean Valjean and that other guy, but I still think you're right Sam, it may or may not be right.
dang it, where is your real little sister Sam?
something more profound in LM:
actually outside of LM - French Revolution. this isn't really my topic because I'm not studying it til next year, so maybe it will be revisited, BUT...
the people or the monarchy? or was a middle ground possible?
I'll leave it to someone else to expound on.
my little sister is gone working all day. almost like me.
you're probably right, verya. i didn't remember valjean as selfish, that's funny. i guess the images change in my mind over time.
YES good point about enjolras. i had a very very good friend of mine play enjolras in the musical once. =-) brilliant.
i love the themes.
oh that's sooo cool! I so want to see LM on Broadway...*pouts*
when do you guys leave for NY?
working where? Is she still doing that Pac Sci thing?
I most like missed it, but what book is this? I would like to read it. I'm going to start a new book today! Wish me luck... it's been a while. :)
1) she's working for the science center still, yes.
2) we are gone the 23rd-30th, and then i will be busy and gone basically till school starts again.
3) it's les miserable by victor hugo.
I'm present and accounted for!
and I replied to all my emails today except yours Verya so don't worry I am just ignoring you.
hey. I have low blood sugar. could we just pull over and pick up something? it'll only take a minute.
*coughs* sidetracks aside....
I've always been all out for doing the brave and stupid thing. It's kind of like the heroic stories where the hero could sacrfice himself and save everyone's life, or he could let everyone waste their lives fighting the battle.
or it's like the dilemma brought on by a star wars book I was reading a long time ago, where you know how in Attack of the Clones all the important good guys and bad guys are gathered together in that one arena? they suggested someone should have dropped a bomb on the entire arena, then there would be no more war. Yeah, we destroy a bunch of good guys, but we destroy a bunch of bad guys too! end of war.
oh. is this relevant to the topic? ummmm......not really.
anyway....I believe being 24601 was eating him from the inside, that he couldn't always hide as Msier le mayor forever, and he knew that. He was totally commited to turning himself in and doing the brave and stupid thing EXCEPT for poor Cosette, so then he beats up Javert for cosette.
now you know how unbeliveable the fake valjean is? he looks exactly like this guy, he even has a scar on his chest corresponding to where the brand of 24601 is.
Hugo just pulled this guy out of nowhere to show who Valjean was. Yes, he didn't want an innocent man to get hurt. No, he wasn't going to leave Cosette for anything. Yes, he's willing to beat up police to obtain those two goals.
I'm rambling. anyway.....
I am the master of hundreds of workers/they all look to me/can I abandon them how can they live/if I am not free
if I speak/I am condemned/if I stay silent/I am damned/
Ooohhh...want the soundtrack!!!
it's like in ENDERS GAME!!
when at the end he chooses to kill all his own spaceships and kill everyone.
he does?
no he doesn't! he blows up the planet!
wait. same dif?
I can't remember......
I have noooo clue what you guys are talking about.
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