Marius pontmercy and monsieur thenardier

Two different characters. Two very different story lines. One book, Les Miserables. The characters of Les Miserables are arguably what make the book so classic. Despite the years that have passed since they were penned, each character is remembered by their timeless ability to be relatable and the lessons they have taught. Marius Pontmercy is often characterized by his hopeless romanticism and blind love.

Monsieur Thenardier is painted as the villain, cheating and lying his way through life. What do these two apparently opposite ends of the moral spectrum have in common? Both, one consciously, the other unwittingly, rend apart the lives of both loved ones and strangers, alike. In a story where lines are constantly blurred and the validity of life’s black and white areas is constantly called into question, Monsieur Thenardier is consistently regarded as the story’s true antagonist. To many he is evil personified. He starved and beat, even if not personally, Cosette, the child entrusted to his care, abandoned wholly three of his children, and lived a life of greedy ambition until the end. Thenardier, one of the few characters that live to the end of the novel, never reaches redemption, despite even having a chance handed to him by Marius.

And yet people still get hurt, hopes are still crushed, and tears still fall from the eyes of innocents. Why is this, if when we speak, we most certainly always intend to do so to edify our fellow men? Few open their mouths fully intending to bring harm to another, and when they do, society is always there ready to bring shame upon them, ready to disparage them for a sin of which they would never be guilty. Thenardier knew the pain he caused, and Marius never had any semblance of an idea of that pain. Everyday we continue to be guilty of pain of which we were previously unaware. The theme of pain is nearly omnipresent in Les Miserables.

Whether through death, loneliness, disease or starvation, it’s always present, lurking, ready to prey on prosperity and hope. Think back to every great story that has ever been told. What do the likes of Peter Pan and Batman have in common? A compelling villain. A villain so far removed from our daily lives, we revel in hating them. No one argues that Captain Hook was just misunderstood, or that the Joker simply craved approval and secretly sought redemption. In every great story, people rush to forgive the hero all his misdoings; they forget every misstep as soon as the need arises.