The Novel Les Miserables - Essay Example

The novel examines the nature of law and grace through an elaboration of the nature and history of France, politics, and justice among other numerous aspects. Upon a clear study and reflection of the novel, a fundamental theme of the letter of the law, or in other words the spirit of law features immensely throughout the entire novel. Based on such a perspective, this paper analyzes the theme of the letter of the law by addressing the nature of the law and how ethics relates to the theme of the spirit of the law reveals in the novel.
Throughout the novel, one significant observation is that a majority of the characters constantly fight against their oppression and exploitation, with several cases of brutality, abuse, maltreatment, and injustice becoming a common order in the novel. Despite such inappropriate occurrences, sympathy remains eluded from the wretched members of society. The unfortunate occurrences in society exist because men and women in the society lack the most appropriate paths of proper sustainability depending on the kind of society; instead, such occurrences happen because of the failure on the side of society, the state, and the law that governs the state and society. The novel portrays a picture that despite the existence of the law to govern the affairs of the state and society, the same law has little to do with the dangerous classes in society. Such an aspect makes the other members of the society lead miserable lives as the law that should act in their defense seems disinterested in advocating for them, and additionally, offers little support for their plight. Based on such a reflection, it is clear that the spirit of the law is ethically unjust in advocating for classes of the just, instead, it leans towards the support of the oppressors making the lives of the majority very miserable.

Additionally, the life led by the oppressed in society remains under the influence of the positive laws determined by the elite in society, the majority of which act against the plight of the low class. Ethically, it is in the spirit of the law of a state or society that convicts should have a chance or redeeming themselves. However, since the manner of implementing the law rests with an elite class of the society, the situation remains that the society, therefore, dehumanizes the poor and most especially for the crimes committed by the dregs of society. Ethically, the law should not operate in such a manner; instead, the law should offer guidance and protection to the less fortunate; however, since the power of the law rests with the elite. Despite such occurrences, it is evident as revealed by one of the oppressed characters Valjean, that despite the challenges faced, one is still in a position to rise above such circumstances.

The picture displayed by the occurrences in Les Miserables clearly shows the deleterious personal and societal effects of a society run through the element of tyrannical legalism in which an obsession with government and law occurs, though without mercy. In addition to such, there exists a hatred for law through the optimization of libertinism. Despite the occurrences, which occur at both extremes, in a misguided notion of the good a majority of the dregs of society, it is clear that the end comes in despair, as such occurrences rest upon unethical application of the law, without considering the intended purpose.
In the spirit of the law, it is a requirement that the law should never be worshiped; however, the law should be respected and loved at all times. Ideally, the law does not work as a means of salvation; however, it works as a guiding principle and instructor toward the attainment of salvation. Read More