Javert Stars Meaning
Using the song “Stars” the movie producers of the musical Les Miserables effectively portrayed more of Javert’s outlook, providing the audience more understanding of the mindset of the people involved in the justice system during that time. Using symbolism of stars and contrasting them with a fallen angel, the viewer can see better into the mind of Javert. Moreover, the song excellently captures Javert’s determination to catch Jean Valjean as well as his belief that he is doing the right thing. The opening lines convey right away that Javert believes he is in the right and that Valjean is “Fallen from God [and] / Fallen from grace.” This was evidently the mentality of many of the people in power during this time period in France. In
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Javert has an obsession with order likening “good” people such as himself to stars “Filling the darkness / With order and light.” For Javert there are only two types of people: the ones who know their place in society and stay within the boundaries, and those who disobey the law. For Javert “If you fall as Lucifer fell / You fall in flames” because in his mind, there is no forgiveness for the criminal; no matter how light the crime. This belief is what fills him with such zeal for catching the escaped convict. Javert ends his song swearing by the stars that he will never rest until he catches Jean Valjean. As it crescendos to the end, the tune shifts from a soft major key to a stronger minor key to convey that Javert is really in the wrong but also showing the intense ambition with which he will continue to look for Jean Valjean. Though it may go beyond what is written in the novel, the song “Stars” provides a helpful picture of Javert’s outlook on the world. Providing glimpses into how he sees Jean Valjean and using the symbolism of stars to represent his obsession with order, it reveals a much deeper character of Javert. From revealing Javert’s opinions of Jean Valjean to showing his zeal for the corrupt and flawed French law, the song conveys Javert’s true nature accurately and helps the audience to understand his
Javert has an obsession with order likening “good” people such as himself to stars “Filling the darkness / With order and light.” For Javert there are only two types of people: the ones who know their place in society and stay within the boundaries, and those who disobey the law. For Javert “If you fall as Lucifer fell / You fall in flames” because in his mind, there is no forgiveness for the criminal; no matter how light the crime. This belief is what fills him with such zeal for catching the escaped convict. Javert ends his song swearing by the stars that he will never rest until he catches Jean Valjean. As it crescendos to the end, the tune shifts from a soft major key to a stronger minor key to convey that Javert is really in the wrong but also showing the intense ambition with which he will continue to look for Jean Valjean. Though it may go beyond what is written in the novel, the song “Stars” provides a helpful picture of Javert’s outlook on the world. Providing glimpses into how he sees Jean Valjean and using the symbolism of stars to represent his obsession with order, it reveals a much deeper character of Javert. From revealing Javert’s opinions of Jean Valjean to showing his zeal for the corrupt and flawed French law, the song conveys Javert’s true nature accurately and helps the audience to understand his