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Can parallels be drawn between Jean Valjean from Les Misérables and Jesus Christ?
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Both Jean Valjean and Jesus Christ were kind to those who had been mistreated. Jean Valjean was able to be merciful because he had been shown mercy after his many mistakes, just as Jesus was merciful because of His perfection.A previous contributor has already provided a lot of information as to Valjean's Christlike qualities. There is only one additional point of comparison I can think of to add to this.
According to Christian teachings, we should remember that Christ is persecuted. In fact, this is one of the central motifs of Christianity—it's not simply that Christians believe Christ saved the world, but also that Christ suffered greatly in order to do so. This is most famously invoked in the image of the crucifixion, but the same theme runs throughout the gospels.
Likewise, Valjean himself suffers greatly and is persecuted. He grows up in poverty and is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread (this sentence, combined with his rebellions, will leave him imprisoned for the next nineteen years). He would proceed to spend much of his remaining life fleeing the pursuit of Javert and the police and will die...
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at the novel's end.
Jean Valjean is often referred to as a Christ-like character, and there are several examples of how this comparison is drawn. The one difference, to note immediately, is that Jean Valjean has a moment of conversion, which takes place just after the Bishop forgives him and gives the silver he stole as a gift and a reminder to become "an honest man."
After his conversion, Jean Valjean becomes a portrait of unconditional love. First, he attempts to save Fantine, and when he cannot, he promises to take care of her daughter. Cosette, unaware of Valjean's sacrifice (the fact that he is an ex-convict on the run and living under an assumed identity) could represent humanity. Valjean's protection and love of her is one that stems from pure mercy, grace, and love, and though she accepts it, she cannot fully understand its depth. Even when she falls in love with Marius, Valjean continues to sacrifice his own desires, and saves Marius so he can have Cosette.
In addition to saving Cosette and Marius (literally), as M. the Mayor, Valjean essentially saves society. He provides jobs and an income for many who would otherwise be very poor and starving. Think also of the scene in which he saves Fauchelevant from the fallen cart by lifting the cart on his shoulders. The picture of this very scene is reminiscent of Christ carrying his cross.
Post-conversion through the Bishop of Deign, Valjean is portrayed as a sinless, merciful, protector and providor. All of these qualities are similar to qualities associated with Jesus Christ