Les Misérables question

Eponine: She was invisible to all the people who should have seen and cared for her.

Inspector Javert. Yeah folks, I am behind the bad guy all the way.

Javert is the law, always the law, for the law is the answer to everything. Without partiality, without favoritism, the law strictly enforced. To him the law is the solution to all of societies problems. To the point that he even submits himself to the punishment of the law when he confesses to Jean Valjean that he has suspected him of being an ex-convict. He knew and understood the full gravity it's punishment but willing submitted to it.

In the end, he commits suicide when he discovers that the law (everything that he believed in) was not the answer. That man needs and has compassion and mercy. He could not accept the mercy and compassion that Jean Valjean gave him.

As human beings, we seem to always turn to the law for our answers. If we regulate this or that, if we compel people by the law to do this or that, then society will do better. The law fixes and makes everything right.

Surprise folks, it doesn't as we learn from Inspector Javert. The law is not the answer, it is the curse. It is mankind's willingness, for the benefit of all to work together, to understand one another, for the purpose of all mankind and to show and have compassion, mercy, and forgiveness for all around us.

The law should only provide protection for the society to cooperate and accomplish what is necessary to the good of all society and thus the individual.

As one who doesn't make much money, I think I can identify with any of the characters who were under the thumb of the ruling, rich party. As Lauren said, I also feel a little like Jean Valjean because I can be a bit of a rebel. I like to do things differently. I often ask my self "why not" instead of "why."

I would like to consider myself as Eponine because of the one-sided love I had for 5 years. It was really painful but the difference is that (based on the book) we are really close friends unlike Eponine and Marius.

I could also be Jean Valjean at some times because I'm a utilitarian. I consider the consequences of an action to be able to judge their morality. I do not believe in laws like Javert.

I could also be like Marius with whom I consider the most innocent character in the novel because he seemed oblivious of Eponine's feelings for him. I did not realize that a friend of mine liked me years ago until he confessed it to me recently.

Probably Madame Thenardier. Most specifically, concerning her warmth, caring personality, sense of humor, good looks, and irrepressible joie de vivre. I mean, did that woman ever have an unkind word to say about anyone??? I believe most parents would have kicked that brat Gavroche to the curb long before he was out of diapers. But no--not Madame Thenardier. She just always HAD to do the right thing. I loved the way she would beg him not to leave at times, and how she would knit him those warm woolen stockings even while she was sick with worry over him being away from home. And remember the way she threw herself onto the fireplace to prevent her husband from harming Monsieur Leblanc? How many other women do you think would have done that? Furthermore, while they still had their inn, her husband should have paid her extra for entertainment while she was cracking jokes right and left for guests. Seriously, who needed David Letterman back then when you had her?? And as for her looks, it's little wonder where Eponine got hers. If the concept had existed way back then, no doubt Madame Thenardier would have become one of the very first French supermodels!!!! Frankly, I don't know why that magnificent specimen of a woman ever married Monsieur Thenardier in the first place. After all, with her amazing character and magnanimity, she should have been a candidate for the Petit-Picpus!!!!! ;)

Let's see--if I had to pick one, it would probably be Jean Valjean. Why? Because I can sympathize with going through very dark periods in your life that you think will never change, and also with being unconventional and atypical. There may be some other reasons as well.

I loved and identified with them all (well, except the Thenardiers)... but especially Eponine. She gives so much, and is so often overlooked.

I empathised most with the enchanted Eponine. As most people have said, she was one who's feelings were ignored and overlooked by Marius whom she really loved. For some reason it seems everyone loves an underdog

I'm not as kind as Jean, leaving alone Myriel. Sometimes I think like Javert, being too rigid in stuff, sometimes like Marius, judging people easily. But I am trying to be more like Jean in doing good things according to my own conscience, not only according to law.

Fantine.