p. 439, This is only personal opinion; but to express our views completely, at the point Jean Valjean had reached when he began to love Cosette, it is not entirely clear that he did not need this fresh supply of goodness to keep him on the straight and narrow. He had just seen the wickedness of men and the misery of society in new ways--incomplete aspects and, unfortunately, showing only one side of the truth--the lot of woman summed up in Fantine, public authority personified in Javert. This time he had been sent back to prison for doing good; new waves of bitterness had swept over him; disgust and weariness had once more seized him; even memories of the bishop might eventually fade, to reappear afterward, luminous and triumphant; but with time this blessed remembrance was growing fainter. Who can tell whether Jean Valjean was on the verge of discouragement and falling back on evil ways? He loved, and he grew strong again. Alas, he was as frail as Cosette. He protected her, and she gave him strength. Thanks to him, she could walk upright in life; thanks to her, he could persist in virtue. He was this child's support, and she was his prop and staff. Oh, divine unfathomable mystery of Destiny's compensations.
I feel this is significant. Keep in mind.
No comments:
Post a Comment