Yip1982
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Valjean's actionsI've had this thought that when Valjean fired Fantine in his position as the mayor of Montfermeil, he did it because he wanted to be seen doing his job of restoring order. Then, when he saw what had happened to Fantine, we notice that he acts with his mercy and self-sacrifice in offering to look after Cosette and Marius. Yes, let's not forget how he wanted to let Javert go and forgive Javert for pursuing him.
I have a funny feeling that Valjean's circumstances moulded him into the character that he was, and motivated him to do the things he did. I think it must be his loving kindness to others, even if he risked a lot, that shaped him and induced him to act in the way he did. I also guess that he offered to take Cosette under his wings to atone for getting Fantine fired.
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Escalante
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Re: Valjean's actions | Yip1982 wrote: | | I also guess that he offered to take Cosette under his wings to atone for getting Fantine fired. |
I agree that this was probably his motive at first for saving Cosette and it is definitely reflected in his lyrics when he is explaining why he is taking Cosette away from the Thenadiers: "For I was blind to one in need..." I also find it interesting that he immediately takes the blame onto himself when he hears Fantine's story. Even though all he really did wrong was assume that the Foreman would handle it justly. It was basically a case of putting his faith in the wrong person. Another man might defend himself, but Valjean responds with "Is it true what I've done to an innocent soul?" He doesn't make excuses for himself- even though he would be completely justified to do so.
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Vanessa20
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Re: Valjean's actions | Escalante wrote: | | I also find it interesting that he immediately takes the blame onto himself when he hears Fantine's story. Even though all he really did wrong was assume that the Foreman would handle it justly. It was basically a case of putting his faith in the wrong person. Another man might defend himself, but Valjean responds with "Is it true what I've done to an innocent soul?" He doesn't make excuses for himself- even though he would be completely justified to do so. |
One thing I find kind of interesting is that from the outset, Boublil and Schonberg seem to have wanted to make Valjean slightly more responsible for Fantine's firing that he is in the book (I suppose to make it clearer to the audience why he feels the need to atone), but it took them a while to settle on how much more responsible.
In the book he knows nothing about Fantine until her arrest, in the French Concept Album he fires her himself, and in the current musical he gets a glimpse of the situation but then leaves the resolution up to the Foreman. They went from one extreme to the opposite and finally settled on a comfortable in-between. It's a small detail, but I've always found it interesting.
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