MovieChat Forums > Les Misérables (2012) Discussion > Questions on Javert

Questions on Javert

posted 7 years ago by LeiaOfLothlorien (1980)
5 replies | jump to latest

What was his problem? He clearly hated criminals and lower classes with a burning passion, but why? He said to Valjean, "I was born with scum like you! I am from the gutter, too!" But wouldn't that make him more sympathetic towards poor people, beggars, thieves, etc? Did he not get along with his parents, so he thought all people like them were evil? Did his parents beat him or something? Did police/guards take him away from his family and brainwash him into hating them while claiming to give him a better life?

Any backstory/insight would be welcome. I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie multiple times. I am thinking about reading the novel at some point, however.

[–] IMDBRefugee1SD (139) 7 years ago

Javert probably felt embarrassed or guilty because of the circumstances of his birth. As a defense of his ego he went in the
opposite direction. To prove he was not scum he became the straight laced policeman. And instead of becoming sympathetic
to people in lower circumstances he internalized the notion that they brought it on themselves through some moral failing.
And he believes that people are incapable of redemption. So in spite of all evidence to the contrary he still thinks Valjean is
incapable of changing and is still a criminal.

[–] LeiaOfLothlorien (1980) 7 years ago

Hmm. Okay, thanks. That helps a little.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

Some people who claw their way out of poverty hate everything they grew up with, and grow up to be crashing snobs or bigots. Their attitude is that they're better than everyone they grew up with, and that anyone who didn't change their ways and get out is to blame for their own circumstances, and deserves contempt and abuse because it's all their own fault.

Such people are neither nice nor deep thinkers, and yeah. Javert isn't nice or a deep thinker.

[–] marktayloruk (2378) 3 years ago

He was born in jail.

[–] snepts (11123) 3 years ago

Don't be afraid to read an abridged version of the novel, depending on your education and aspirations.
I had an abridged version I picked up cheap but didn't read for many a year, assuming it was some high school version of the original.
Well, maybe it is, but it's still long, dense, and involving. I believe Victor Hugo had many complex and elaborate thoughts on Society and Religion he explored that were expansive and digressed from the tale. Even the version I have is quite long and an involving read. And I loved it.