Two of the closest people to Jean Valjean are Fantine and Cosette.
They are both beautiful women and they are also very loving.
When Hugo is describing Cosette's love, he says this: "If, at this period of her life, Cosette had fallen in love with an unscrupulous man... she would have been ruined. For there are generous natures that give themselves, and Cosette was one." (pg 1003) ...and Fantine's was another.
As Hugo says, "Fantine's love was a first, an only, a faithful love." (pg 122)
What made these two people's hearts the way they were? What set them up for so much joy or so much sorrow? How should we love?
Throughout the story, we see both of these characters showing amazing amounts of trust. Fantine trusts Tholomyes with her virtue, believing he'll be faithful. Cosette trusts Marius to protect her virtue. They also trust Jean Valjean. When he tells Fantine to wait, she waits--albeit a little impatiently. As they're escaping Javert, Jean Valjean tells Cosette to be quiet and she is.
What about us? Should we be like that? Should we trust people absolutely?
I believe that before we trust others, and before we even trust ourselves we need to trust God. We need to trust His counsel and trust His wisdom.
If Fantine had had this trust before she met Tholomyes she would not have forsaken her virtue. She may even have realized the kind of man he was, and not sought for love there.
As Jean Valjean justifies the trust of these two women they become bright, happy and even more trusting. In a way, they are reaching God through him, in that they reach true love, selflessness, and some wisdom.
In conclusion, as we seek love and as we seek happiness, let us first put our trust in God. Then, as we find our foundation in His power and wisdom, we can better reach out to others and find those whom we truly can trust.
"God willed that the love Cosette met should be a love that saves." (pg 1004)
They are both beautiful women and they are also very loving.
When Hugo is describing Cosette's love, he says this: "If, at this period of her life, Cosette had fallen in love with an unscrupulous man... she would have been ruined. For there are generous natures that give themselves, and Cosette was one." (pg 1003) ...and Fantine's was another.
As Hugo says, "Fantine's love was a first, an only, a faithful love." (pg 122)
What made these two people's hearts the way they were? What set them up for so much joy or so much sorrow? How should we love?
Throughout the story, we see both of these characters showing amazing amounts of trust. Fantine trusts Tholomyes with her virtue, believing he'll be faithful. Cosette trusts Marius to protect her virtue. They also trust Jean Valjean. When he tells Fantine to wait, she waits--albeit a little impatiently. As they're escaping Javert, Jean Valjean tells Cosette to be quiet and she is.
What about us? Should we be like that? Should we trust people absolutely?
I believe that before we trust others, and before we even trust ourselves we need to trust God. We need to trust His counsel and trust His wisdom.
If Fantine had had this trust before she met Tholomyes she would not have forsaken her virtue. She may even have realized the kind of man he was, and not sought for love there.
As Jean Valjean justifies the trust of these two women they become bright, happy and even more trusting. In a way, they are reaching God through him, in that they reach true love, selflessness, and some wisdom.
In conclusion, as we seek love and as we seek happiness, let us first put our trust in God. Then, as we find our foundation in His power and wisdom, we can better reach out to others and find those whom we truly can trust.
"God willed that the love Cosette met should be a love that saves." (pg 1004)
