Heroes and Villains: Inspector Javert

In a previous entry, Xlibris Publishing’s Heroes and Villains explored a protagonist who did not just blur the line between hero and villain — he drove a harpoon through it. For all that was admirable about Captain Ahab, it was overshadowed by an obsession that ultimately got himself and almost all those loyal to him killed. Next Xlibris Publishing explores an antagonist with values and virtues one could easily respect if they did not put him at odds with the protagonist.

Who is Javert?

Javert is one of the main characters and the main antagonist of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables. Throughout the story, Javert serves as an ardent officer of the law, first as a prison guard and then as an inspector. He is described as having no vices, save for the occasional pinch of snuff. Though decently educated, he has no love for books or reading. He finds too much reading runs the risk of subversion and betrayal of his country.

What does Javert do?

Javert’s actions tend to center around his pursuit and obsession with the protagonist Jean Valjean. Javert first meets the protagonist in prison where Jean Valjean is a convict. Later, after Jean Valjean had reinvented himself with a new name and as a paragon of the community, it is the then inspector’s recognition and eagerness to arrest Jean Valjean as a former convict that becomes a factor in forcing Jean Valjean to go on the run.  But not everything Javert does directly or intentionally involves Jean Valjean.

At one point, the Inspector unknowingly saved Jean Valjean from a notorious street gang. Later in the novel Javert infiltrates a band of young revolutionaries who plan to start a rebellion of the people (it fails). When Javert is found out by the young rebels, it is only the mercy and cunning of Jean Valjean that saves the inspector. As Jean Valjean tries to escape through the sewers with his daughter’s wounded lover, he runs into the Thenardiers, a ruthless family of thieves and cutthroats. It is Javert who intervenes and comes to Jean Valjean’s aid. Together they bring the young man to safety, with Jean Valjean promising to turn himself in to Javert. But before Jean Valjean can fulfill his promise, Javert disappears into the streets. Though arresting Jean Valjean would be lawful, Javert realizes it would not be moral. Despairing at this conundrum which shakes the very foundations of Javert as a person and an officer of the law, Javert commits suicide.

Xlibris Publishing will continue Heroes and Villains: Javert in part 2.

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