Not me doing a character study on Jean Valjean
Who needs redemption?
Hi! How are you? It’s been some time, hasn’t it? I know there are some new faces around here, so firstly welcome. I hope to be more consistent with you with these newsletters (I’m much more consistent over here though). I wanted to pop on today to briefly chat about one of my favorite musical characters - I hope you enjoy.
Yesterday I saw my all-time favorite musical, Les Misérables, which was a very wonderful surprise from my friend Katie. The Victor Hugo novel turned Boublil-Schönberg euphonious masterpiece is something I consider to be the greatest musical ever written. My criteria for this esteemed ranking is the following: it has something for everyone (romance, comedy [albeit it brief], religion, class warfare, a battle, a protagonist to root for, etc). Not to mention a gorgeously written score (I’m still in my “to love another person is to see the face of God” feels). But I digress.
Ok before I actually really go into this post, I need to digress some more. If the current Les Miz tour is coming to (please read the following in a car salesman type of voice) a town near you, you MUST see it. And this is coming from someone who has seen the show 10+ times - I can’t remember the last time I was so moved and in awe of a production. Even if you don’t like musicals, I’m still making you go!
While this is a photo of Hugh Jackman as Valjean, let it be known that this is Colm Wilkinson stan account
To give an extremely brief explanation of Les Miz (the musical not the novel), main character Jean Valjean is jailed for 19 years after stealing a loaf of bread for his starving nephew, and subsequently trying to escape several times. The musical follows the rest of his life as he tries to vindicate himself and make right with God, to whom he had promised he would turn his life around after being given a second chance by a kindly bishop. And although he begins this new, “honest” life, he is still hunted literally and figuratively by Javert, a police inspector who believes the law is the end-all-be-all. Before you click away and onto something much more riveting, I promise this post is not about to get preachy or sanctimonious.
I’ve seen Les Misérables more times than I can count and even sang the role of Madame Thénardier in a high school production (will provide photos if asked). So I’d like to think I’m pretty well-versed on the show. But after seeing yesterday’s performance, I saw the show - or rather Jean Valjean - in an entirely new light.
Les Miz is often looked at as a redemption story, a man trying to right his wrongs. But Valjean was initially sentenced for trying to do something noble by any means necessary - trying to feed a starving child. And that needs no redemption.
Or perhaps he is trying to redeem himself for the actions he commits while he’s on parole (stealing again for example). But still we have to go back to the beginning of why he is where he is - for being poor and stealing that loaf of bread for a child.
I suppose throughout all of these years, I’ve looked at the character of Jean Valjean as a redeemed, godly man who was once immoral. But the man never needed to be redeemed.
He is hardened and angered from his near two-decades in prison, and understandably so! You feel bad for the guy! And at the end of the day (pun intended), he had been failed time and time again. Again I say, he doesn’t need to be redeemed! He didn’t do anything that bad! Perhaps I’m looking at it entirely wrong, or maybe you’re thinking “DUH Camille”. But this is the first time I’m realizing, Les Miz isn’t all about redemption - it’s about being a victim of circumstance.
So I left Les Miz a.) extremely grateful to have seen that production on its closing night and b.) wondering how many other characters in film, TV, books, musicals, etc I need to reconnect with who I thought I knew so well (and that also Valjean was lowkey hot).
I’ve also left wondering, how many times have I asked God/the universe “If you give me this, I promise I will do this in exchange.”? Is that really being redeemed? Am I losing my religion more than I already have?
I’m sure I could expand upon all of this into something bigger critiquing current day politics and religion, but I think I’ll leave it at that. And as always, your thoughts are beyond welcomed.