Javert Commits Suicide

Les Miserables symbolizes human life. Victor Hugo places every character in the book with its own purpose. Javert symbolizes the Law, and all its defects. The “law” starts off as a perfect system with no defects. Every time Valjean tried to escape from prison he was caught. No flaws were described yet. “His comrades helped him as they always do in that dreary place and he escaped. During the evening of the second day he was retaken” (Hugo 24) Jean Valjean has various tries of escaping, but he never succeeds. He ends up in the galleys for 19 years, miserable years. The “law” is impeccable at that time. What demonstrates the flaws of law is when Javert commits suicide. “Javert remained for some minutes motionless… he bent towards the Siene, then sprang up, and fell straight into the darkness; there was a dull splash” (Hugo 337) After all his life, he never discovers his real purpose in life. He could never create a tranquil life because of his job. Victor Hugo sends us the message that life is not perfect, society isn’t perfect; we just have to make the best out of it.