Justice and Mercy in Hugo's *Les Misérables* | Study notes English Literature

JUSTICE VERSUS MERCY

-USHA JESUDASAN

Usha Jesudasan is a writer and journalist who has spent much of her life helping

neglected and downtrodden people, working to connect different people,

cultures, and faiths. She has traveled widely, especially in Western Europe,

researching and working with people and children who have been victims of

violence. She has also written books such as *A Child’s Path*, *I Will Lie

Down in Peace*, *Being an Instrument of Peace*, and *Brokenness*. Some of

her articles include *An Act of Discovery*, *The Ahimsa Way*, and *Mind

Matters*.

JUSTICE VERSUS MERCY- Explanatory Notes

Usha Jesudasan’s essay *Justice Versus Mercy* explores the conflict between

justice and mercy, using the story from Victor Hugo’s *Les Miserables*.

Jesudasan argues that mercy should sometimes be blended with justice,

especially for those who are poor and powerless. In *Les Miserables*, Hugo

criticizes the unfair class-based society of 19th-century France, showing how

this structure turns good, innocent people into criminals. The main character,

Jean Valjean, transforms from a bitter criminal into a respected mayor and

philanthropist because of the kindness and mercy he receives from a Bishop.

Jesudasan starts her essay by saying that justice and mercy are two closely

connected ideas that people have long discussed in life and literature. She raises

questions about what these two concepts really mean and how they work

together. She feels Hugo’s novel helps us think about these ideas for ourselves.

Jesudasan summarizes the story of *Les Miserables*: Jean Valjean, a poor

peasant, is sent to prison for stealing bread for his starving sister and her

children. His attempts to escape extend his sentence to 19 years. When he

finally gets out, he is angry and bitter. He steals a silver candlestick from a

Bishop who offered him food and shelter, but when the police catch him, the

Bishop saves him by pretending he had gifted him the silver. This act of mercy

changes Valjean, who becomes a hardworking man and even a town mayor

under a new name.

However, a policeman named Javert, who believes strongly in strict justice,

relentlessly pursues Valjean for his past crimes and false identity. Despite

having the chance to kill Javert, Valjean shows mercy and lets him go. Javert,

who cannot accept a favor from a man he considers a criminal, ends up taking

his own life.

Partial preview of the text

Download Justice and Mercy in Hugo's Les Misérables and more Study notes English Literature in PDF only on Docsity!

JUSTICE VERSUS MERCY

-USHA JESUDASAN

Usha Jesudasan is a writer and journalist who has spent much of her life helping neglected and downtrodden people, working to connect different people, cultures, and faiths. She has traveled widely, especially in Western Europe, researching and working with people and children who have been victims of violence. She has also written books such as A Child’s Path, I Will Lie Down in Peace, Being an Instrument of Peace, and Brokenness. Some of her articles include An Act of Discovery, The Ahimsa Way, and Mind Matters. JUSTICE VERSUS MERCY- Explanatory Notes Usha Jesudasan’s essay Justice Versus Mercy explores the conflict between justice and mercy, using the story from Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. Jesudasan argues that mercy should sometimes be blended with justice, especially for those who are poor and powerless. In Les Miserables, Hugo criticizes the unfair class-based society of 19th-century France, showing how this structure turns good, innocent people into criminals. The main character, Jean Valjean, transforms from a bitter criminal into a respected mayor and philanthropist because of the kindness and mercy he receives from a Bishop. Jesudasan starts her essay by saying that justice and mercy are two closely connected ideas that people have long discussed in life and literature. She raises questions about what these two concepts really mean and how they work together. She feels Hugo’s novel helps us think about these ideas for ourselves. Jesudasan summarizes the story of Les Miserables: Jean Valjean, a poor peasant, is sent to prison for stealing bread for his starving sister and her children. His attempts to escape extend his sentence to 19 years. When he finally gets out, he is angry and bitter. He steals a silver candlestick from a Bishop who offered him food and shelter, but when the police catch him, the Bishop saves him by pretending he had gifted him the silver. This act of mercy changes Valjean, who becomes a hardworking man and even a town mayor under a new name. However, a policeman named Javert, who believes strongly in strict justice, relentlessly pursues Valjean for his past crimes and false identity. Despite having the chance to kill Javert, Valjean shows mercy and lets him go. Javert, who cannot accept a favor from a man he considers a criminal, ends up taking his own life.

Jesudasan uses this story to raise questions about who is truly right or wrong. Javert sees things as black and white: a crime deserves punishment. On the other hand, the Bishop believes that mercy can change people more than punishment. Jesudasan points out that some people may agree with Javert’s sense of fairness, while others relate to the Bishop’s compassion. She asks if we should always punish wrongdoing or if, like Valjean, people deserve a second chance after suffering enough. Jesudasan highlights how the poor often suffer in the name of justice, while the powerful escape punishment. She ends by asking us to think about how forgiveness affects us: does it hurt our pride like it did for Javert? Or, like Valjean, can it lead to a positive transformation? The major themes in Usha Jesudasan’s essay Justice Versus Mercy include:

Conflict Between Justice and Mercy: The essay explores the balance between justice (punishing wrongdoing) and mercy (forgiving and helping others grow). Jesudasan suggests that sometimes, especially for the poor and powerless, justice should include mercy to give people a chance to change.
Class Inequality and Social Injustice: Through Les Miserables, Jesudasan highlights how society often unfairly punishes the poor while the powerful go unpunished. This inequality can turn good people into criminals, not because they are bad but because they are desperate.
Transformation Through Mercy: The essay emphasizes that acts of kindness and forgiveness can transform people. Jean Valjean changes from a bitter criminal to a compassionate mayor because of the Bishop’s kindness. Mercy has the power to help people grow in positive ways.
Different Perspectives on Right and Wrong: Jesudasan shows that people can have different views on justice and mercy. Javert, the policeman, sees justice as straightforward—crime must be punished. The Bishop, however, believes mercy can be more powerful than punishment. The essay asks readers to consider both perspectives.
The Impact of Forgiveness: Jesudasan encourages readers to think about how forgiveness affects them. Does being forgiven make one feel ashamed or humbled, as it did for Javert? Or does it inspire growth and change, as it did for Valjean?

Justice and Mercy in Hugo's *Les Misérables*, Study notes of English Literature

Partial preview of the text

Download Justice and Mercy in Hugo's *Les Misérables* and more Study notes English Literature in PDF only on Docsity!

JUSTICE VERSUS MERCY

-USHA JESUDASAN

Justice and Mercy in Hugo's Les Misérables, Study notes of English Literature

Download Justice and Mercy in Hugo's Les Misérables and more Study notes English Literature in PDF only on Docsity!