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Philip Javert

Javert from original publication of Les Misérables (1862).  Gustave Brion (1824-1877), Philip Javert
Javert from original publication of Les Misérables (1862). Gustave Brion (1824-1877)
  • Gender Male
  • Race Human
  • Occupation Prison guard, investigator
  • Religion Roman Catholic
  • Nationality French, Paris

Javert is a legalist, in that his “moral foundation … is built strictly on legalism”, with a fanatical respect for authority and hatred of rebellion.

Moderately educated “In his leisure moments… although he hated books, he reads.” Reflective thought is “an uncommon thing for him, and singularly painful”; this is due to the fact that thought inevitably contains “a certain amount of internal rebellion”, which Javert dislikes.

He is without vices, but upon occasion will take a pinch of snuff. His life is one “of privations, isolation, self-denial, and chastity—never any amusement”.

A fanatic goverment inspector in pursuit to recapture Jean Valjean. Born in the prisons to a convict father and a fortune teller mother, he renounces both of them and starts working as a turnkey in the prison, including one stint as the overseer for the chain gang of which Valjean is part (and here witnesses firsthand Valjean’s enormous strength and just what he looks like).

Eventually he joins the town guard in a small town. He arrests Fantine and butts heads with Valjean/Madeleine, who orders him to release Fantine. Valjean dismisses Javert in front of his squad and Javert, seeking revenge, reports to the guard captain that he has discovered Jean Valjean.

He is told that he must be incorrect, as a man mistakenly believed to be Jean Valjean was just arrested. He requests of M. Madeline that he be dismissed in disgrace, for he cannot be less harsh on himself than on others.

When the real Jean Valjean turns himself in, Javert is promoted to the Cardinals guard where he arrests Valjean and sends him back to prison. After Valjean escapes again, Javert attempts one more arrest in vain. He then almost recaptures Valjean at Gorbeau house when he arrests the Thénardiers and Patron-Minette.

Later, while working undercover behind the barricade, his identity is discovered. Valjean pretends to execute Javert, but releases him.

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