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SagebrushandSeafoam t1_jdpdras wrote

I think you're right that Marius, Cosette, and in fact every character in the book is not meant to be a portrait of an unerring person, just a person, flawed and pitiful. Marius and Cosette are young, immature, selfish, and silly. Marius doesn't know any better way to get close to Cosette, so he does what he does.

As for Jean Valjean's decision to reveal his identity, it is to save an innocent man going to prison for his (Valjean's) crimes. In the musical Valjean expresses this sentiment as, "Can I condemn this man to slavery?" and "If I speak, I am condemned. If I stay silent, I am damned." If you haven't listened to the musical (the Original Broadway Cast recording), absolutely do; obviously it greatly condenses the story and changes a few things, but I think it captures the book actually exceptionally well. I think it will prove a great chaser to the book.

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ChildhoodSadd OP t1_jdsgpls wrote

Oh sorry, I should have been more clear! I completely understand the part you are referring to. I absolutely loved (maybe loved is the wrong word, but I couldn't put the put down!) reading his internal struggle in his dark room over this. I haven't seen the Broadway cast yet, just watched the 2012 movie and it felt like everything went so quick haha.

I am referring to the end portion. Maybe my sense of time was off, but basically it seemed like Jean Valjean didn't want to keep being Fauchelevent (spelling?) even though it was a perfect identity. So instead he confessed who he was to Marius and moved away until his sadness brought him to death's door. I just don't completely understand the consistency in logic

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SagebrushandSeafoam t1_jdsifgy wrote

It's been a while since I read it, but as I recall he was confident someone would figure out his identity eventually, and then it would bring (what he saw as) unbearable social disgrace on Cosette (and Marius). I also think Valjean's whole perspective was, 'A life with me is forever a life on the run. So I have one mission: Get Cosette to the point where she doesn't have to be with me anymore.' Once that was achieved, I think his whole perspective didn't even really stop to consider, 'Can I stick around?' The idea was, 'She is unburdened of me, now I can disappear.'

The 2012 film had its strengths, but it is not the same experience at all as the Broadway musical. But I'm not suggesting you watch the musical (though, I mean, definitely do if you get the chance), I'm just suggesting you listen to it (specifically, the Original Broadway Cast recording). You already know the story, so you should be able to follow along pretty easily. If you find you enjoy it, then I suggest getting your hands on the filmed 25th Anniversary Les Misérables in Concert, where much of the original cast partially acts out the musical while singing it.

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ChildhoodSadd OP t1_jdskwqq wrote

This makes sense, it really does. I also think Valjean wasn't aware Javert had committed suicide at that point, just that for some reason he let him go. He could have really still believed he was a threat to her way of life.

I didn't even think to just listen to it! I see it's on spotify and will check it out, thanks!

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The__Imp t1_jdqmm1n wrote

I love that you specified the broadway version over say the most recent movie. They certainly sacrifice song quality for emotion.

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