Unfortunately, in Jean Valjean’s case, Javert allows his core values to be compromised by allowing Jean Valjean to escape, which he later regrets. After releasing Jean Valjean, Javert sees a different way of life which frightens him, “ He saw before him two roads, both equally straight; but he saw two, and that terrified him”(408). After a lifetime of following the law, Javert cannot cope with the fact that he himself broke the law by not bringing Jean Valjean to justice. Javert is still in shock of his actions and in his confusion, he concludes, “ In the first case, the man of authority would fall lower than the man of the galley; in the second, a convict rose higher than the law and set his foot upon it. In both cases, dishonor to Javert. In every course which was open to him, there was a fall”(409). Javert believes that no matter what he decides to do, either take Jean Valjean prisoner, or set him free, he will be disappointed in himself. Ultimately, because of Javert’s value system of always serving justice and following the law, he experiences a crisis of conscience which fundamentally leads to his
Unfortunately, in Jean Valjean’s case, Javert allows his core values to be compromised by allowing Jean Valjean to escape, which he later regrets. After releasing Jean Valjean, Javert sees a different way of life which frightens him, “ He saw before him two roads, both equally straight; but he saw two, and that terrified him”(408). After a lifetime of following the law, Javert cannot cope with the fact that he himself broke the law by not bringing Jean Valjean to justice. Javert is still in shock of his actions and in his confusion, he concludes, “ In the first case, the man of authority would fall lower than the man of the galley; in the second, a convict rose higher than the law and set his foot upon it. In both cases, dishonor to Javert. In every course which was open to him, there was a fall”(409). Javert believes that no matter what he decides to do, either take Jean Valjean prisoner, or set him free, he will be disappointed in himself. Ultimately, because of Javert’s value system of always serving justice and following the law, he experiences a crisis of conscience which fundamentally leads to his