Marius True Essence

Throughout the novel Marius played a major role characterizing a man degraded by poverty and beaten by the injustice of life and then redeemed and educated by experiences. The Marius not only characterizes a strong revolutionsit and a loyal lover but also represents a very important theme in the novel. The reader can clearly observe a progress and increase of maturity level in Marius at the beginning and end of the novel. The Marius that the reader experiences at the end is a very calm and mature, an individual who has finally realized how life works. In my opinion Marius was the most intriguing and interesting character in the whole novel leading a life full of tragedy, despair and finally love.

A New Beggining

A new beginning had started in Marius life he was not alone anymore but united in heart and soul to Cosette. After his horrible accident Marius remained in bed for several months and when he was finally able to recover he constantly asked to see Cosette even though his grandfather objected. Though as time past by his grandfather started to accept the idea of Cosette and Marius being a couple and permitted regular visits. Cosette came accompanied by her loyal companion who was truly Jean disguised as Costte’s father. Cosette enjoyed Marius delightful company. Marius and Jean were always very cold and kept their distance. While Marius and Cosette’s love grew by the second. They finally decided to get married and all the arrangements were made, the only issued lived in Jean’s head. Jean knew he had to tell Marius the truth about his identity if he was going to marry his “daughter”. He soon revealed the truth to poor Marius and a surprised Marius took it smoothly and after the wedding let Cosette maintain a relationship with her “father”. Though Jean began to visit less often and his health began to decrease, Jean became terribly ill without Cosette and Marius being aware. One evening Thenardier arrived and talked to Marius, he was going to reveal to him the truth about Valjean’s identity. Though little did he know Marius was already aware the only thing Thenardier did was reveal to Marius who had really saved him in the barricade “While he was talking, he found means to cut and tear off from behind, without the assessing perceiving it, a apiece of the coat. A piece of evidence” (Hugo 387). At the sight of this alarming news Marius realized Jean was truly a good man and immediately wanted to apologize with Cosette by his side. They soon arrived at Jean’s sight but it was sadly too late he had only a few time left by their side. Marius quickly apologized and revealed to Cosette what was occurring. Jean died by Cosette and Marius side but his soul, spirit, and noble heart will always live in Marius. “ I die happy. Let me put my hands your dear beloved head” (Hugo 399).

FREE spirit Marius

This new feeling of love had awakened in Marius not only a tender heart but also a free spirited mind. After meeting Cosette and realizing how madly in love he was Marius had become an open revolutionist and had joined a barricade. Soon Marius was called to duty and as a loyal member he attended. Marius became a strong revolutionist leader and fought with honor until he was caught off gaurd and was severely hurt. Marius believed his life had reached an end everything seemed out of control, his barricade had been destroyed and his friends killed. When unexpectedly Jean Valjean rescued Marius and took him under the sewers of the city. “ The water came up to his armpits, he felt that he was foundering. He still held Marius up, and, with an unparalleled outlay of strength, he advanced” (Hugo 323). Their Jean served Marius as a hero caring his dead body weight for days and then finally taking him safe and sound to his grandfather’s house. A silent helper, Jean quickly left before he could be identified and Marius was left in his family’s hand. Jean had saved Marius because deep down he was aware that Marius was the only man that could make Cosette happy when he past away and he was convinced he was going to do everything in his hands to see Cosette happy. Marius now played a vital role in Jean’s and Cosette’s life.

Love is in the Air

Marius not only portrays one of the most important themes in the novel but also becomes the perfect example of an individual that is able to turn a horrible situation into their advantage. In the story Marius experienced a turning point in which life, as he knew it reached an end and even though for a moment he had no strength left he redeemed himself and was able to stand up. Marius was now a lawyer and economically solvent, this stability helped him look at life in a new perspective. He was now open to new ideas and believed change was something good. Even though Marius was progressing he was missing something key in any human’s life, this missing part was love. Marius had never experienced what it felt to love women or feel attracted to one until he met a very peculiar lady in Luxemborg. This lady was always accompanied by her father and was coincidently there at the same time as Marius everyday. Marius and this lady began to notice each other and felt a very strong attraction towards each other. This attraction dragged Marius closer to her everyday, one evening the lady left a handkerchief behind. This handkerchief contained an embroidered labeled U.F.; this was the first clue that dragged them closer. Though as the lady and Marius became closer her father became more aware and decided to separate them, by taking her away. Months past in which Marius and the girl never saw each other again and even though they constantly though of each other destiny kept them apart. Though everything changed when by coincidence Marius was reunited with her in his neighbor’s house. Though she wasn’t the same lady she had bloomed and become a distinguished woman. A convinced and in love Marius was driven to her side. This mysterious woman identity was revealed and she became Cosette, Jean Valjean's daughter. Marius and Cosette finally confessed their love but were driven away once again by jealous and overprotective Jean “ Cosette: I saw him once, Then he was gone, We were like dreamers at night, Who meet as in a trace, then part again!”( Love Montage/ I saw him Once).

Marius's Role in the Novel

In the novel Les Miserable’s one of the most important and outstanding themes is definitely degradation of man by poverty. This constant struggle and battle against poverty is evident throughout the whole novel and especially in the characterization of Marius. Marius was a well-raised young man that never knew what it felt like to be truly hungry, he had received a respectable education and had lived a very easygoing life. Though Marius experienced a paradigm shift when he was suddenly forced to abandon his luxurious lifestyle for a simpler one. When Marius left his grandparents house he began a new phase in his life where he was not only forced to work but also forced to eat and live by the small amounts he earned. “There was a period in Marius life when he swept his own hall, when he bough pennyworth of Brie cheese at the market-woman’s, when he waited for nightfall to make his way to the baker’s and buy a loaf of bread, which he carried furtively to his garret, as if he had stolen it” (Hugo 181). This new lifestyle killed the old Marius and left him with no ounce of self-esteem or self-respect, Marius encountered a future without hope. I personally believe Victor Hugo portrayed Marius lifestyle change so drastically to emphasize the importance of the theme, degradation of man by poverty in his novel. Even though as the climax in the novel progresses Marius economical and emotional situation does as well, Victor Hugo made a clear point by demonstrating how when a man experiences an economical situation so poor for a moment he has no hope and strength left to overcome his problems.

HOW IT ALL STARTED

We live in a world where everything can drastically change in a blink of an eye and we sometimes don’t realize some doors close so others can open. This is exactly what occurred to Marius in the famous novel Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. This novel takes place in France during the early 1900’s, this was a time in which France was experiencing drastic social and political changes. This turbulent period is reflected in the novel and its traumatic climax and characters. The main character in the novel is an ex convict named Jean Valjean. The story narrates how after nineteen years incarcerated Jean is finally able to escape the galleys and turn his evil life into a life full of good deeds. As an act of redemption and a goodhearted impulse Jean promises a dying old lady to rescue and take care of her only child named Cosette. Cosette is under the possession of a horrid family called the Thénardiers, they constantly degrade and treat Cosette as an inferior individual. After Jean rescues and raises Cosette as her own daughter Cosette meets the love of her life, Marius. Marius is a man who grew up in an economically stable family but in a vivid argument with his powerful grandfather about their diverse political views he decides to leave the house and begging his new journey as a free man. “Marius went away without saying where he was going, and without knowing where he was going, with thirty francs, his watch, and a few clothes in a carpet bag” (Hugo 180)

Ups and Downs

Most relationships experience ups and downs and Marius and Cosette weren't the exception. When Marius and Cosette finally start talking and seeing each other frequently, Cosette is forced to move with her father. When Marius finds out about this incovenience he dosen't give up but listens to Eponine and follows Cosette to her new home. He even sends her a letter informing her about what will occur next with his life. This shows Marius is willing to fight for their love and is really interested in their relationship. In life love isn't an easy buisness and you have to fight for it and a song that really represents this statement and Marius and Cosette's situation is called Knock you Down by Keri Hilson. "Sometimes love comes around, and it knocks you down. Just get back up when it knocks you down".

Dreams

Another very peculiar aspect about Marius and Cosette's relationship is the fact they were constantly dreaming about each other. Even though they didn't even talk or see each most of the time they were always thinking about their love. This helped their relationship form and made it strong even though they weren't physically present. The song Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat talks about a long distance relationship and mentions how in the couple's dreams they were always together. "Under the open sky, oh my, baby i'm trying. Boy I hera you in my dreams. I feel your whisper across the sea"

Love at First Sight

At the beggining of their relationship the only connection between Marius and Cosette was their daily walk at Luxemborg. This walk mantained the flame in their relationship heated. Though if they did not see each other the little connection they had was completely lost. And the song With Me by Sum 41 expresses a same situation when it mentions " I don't want this moment to ever end. Where everything's nothing, without you. I wait here forever, just to see you smile"

TRUTH EMERGES

This image represents the agressive conversation Javert and Moniseur Madeline experienced when Javert acussed Madeline of being Jean Valjean. This conversation changes Monsieur Madeline's life forever and forces him to reveal his true identity in trial. This conversation links Monsieur Madeline to his evil past and unreveals his disguise.

Picture: google.com (http://www.flatrock.org.nz/topics/drugs/assets/2_men_talking_in_a_paris_cafe.jpg)

"Men are respetcable only a sthey respect"-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Abraham Lincoln is a clear example of democracy and respect and in the novel Les Miserables Monsieur Madeline was a democratic figure. Monsieur Madeline was respected and honored so highly in M- he was elected mayor. This was a trascendental event in his life because this raised him a step further from being evil Jean Valjean and helped him forget his turbelant past.

Picture: http://www.accessclarkcounty.com/depts/election/PublishingImages/UNC_SAM.gif

TRIAL

This picture represents the tough moment Monsieur Madeline had to experience when he decided to confess in trial the fact that he was indeed Jean Valjean. What Madeline did took incredible courage and something Jean Valjean and Madeline shaired was courage and determination.

Picture: google.com