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Javert and the Citizen

The scene where Javert takes Marius’ report of the impending ambush is interesting because it’s the only time we see Javert interact with someone who isn’t under suspicion for something. He's almost friendly. He actually engages in small talk.

It's eerie.

The only other time I can think of would be when he thinks M. Madeleine has been cleared, but he's dealing with a superior official (and authority is extremely important to Javert), and it's full of baggage because Javert had suspected him for so long.

Also, it’s utterly bizarre from a modern perspective that a police inspector would

Hand some random stranger a pair of loaded pistols.
Enlist him in a sting operation.
Not worry about damage to the building from the shot.
Not bother to track down the missing weapons after the sting.

— Kelson Vibber, 2018-04-25

Book Commentary

Javert

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Next: The Ambush

Re-Reading Les Misérables

Thoughts and commentary on Victor Hugo’s masterpiece.