And he served many years at hard labor for his transgression.
His crime?
Stealing a loaf of bread to feed his hungry sister.
Les Miserables is a work of fiction but it is appropriate for there are more than a few that pay the price today.
Jonolan tossed me a comment and I had to respond. I understood his comment very well as I thought that way more than once in my life.
“This is a point in which we differ. As far as I’m concerned a thief is always a thief, a killer always a killer, etc…
Of course people are normally more than just one thing.”
I replied.
There is only one problem I see with your view.
How can a person be truly “forgiven” if he or she is made to carry the millstone of his or her transgression around the neck for all time, when they are no longer what they once were?
I appreciate your candor in stating your view as I am cognizant of the fact that many share it.
However, for those who wish to “change their ways”, it is another barrier they must face, a sometimes insurmountable one.
If I am to be known as “thief” regardless, I might as well become one.
It is a thought.
there is iron in the Truth of your words. It is inhumane for Man to not forgive man. It is inhumane for man to kill man in revenge for crimes playing usurper of the right that only the Creator has. it is inhumane to withhold Love from those who are devoid of it as it is evil to watch a man starve while feasting.
These are simple Truths that exist both in Life and After Death.
It’s an old argument between Law and Grace, and one worth persuing. I land in the same place you do. Interesting that we were both inspired to post about it in the same week! Pop on over for a comparison between the viewpoints of Valjean and Javert.
Methinks the ‘ghost’ of Victor Hugo is making the rounds….Indeed, ‘what’ is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the earth we walk upon? And there is always the ‘why’ of what we do.
ps. Popped in to see your piece, Peg. Like the comparsion you set up. But I’d take it further–the entire concept of ‘law’ is a human construct often used to further the ends and goals of a particular set of individuals. Therefore, such law ought to always be held ’suspect’ as it often cares not for the truth of the matter at hand–any justice system holds itself up for ridicule when the innocent are prosecuted and found guilty and left to languish even when there is evidence to the contrary. And, well, can’t help but also present how ‘law’ is being used against
Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma.
Then there is ‘grace’–and what truly is a state of grace? Is it the blessing of the uncomprehendable divine — or is grace another human creation? What was Hugo driving at? When I first read Les Mis it struck me that he was attempting to convey his sensing of something almost but not quite touchable ‘at play in the fields of the lord’.
Hi 47whitebuffalo;
You’re right about the Victor Hugo thing. I think I’ll move on to Porthos
Hi Peg;
I journeyed over to your blog and read the post and found the comparison between the two players interesting.
It has been approximately forty years since I read it. I was not aware of the two “songs similarities in the musical version.
In respect to life, the story is as true today as the day it was published.
You are right, it is coincidental that we both chose this work to write posts on
I really, really, really am practicing letting everyone and myself “off the hook”. To see/feel/be each moment anew. The pit-bull like clingingness to my perceptions (which are TINY) about he said this or she did that or whah whah whah….from the big stuff to the nothings….astounds the bejeeebeees out ot me. But each moment…..another chance…:)
Thanks Ichabod!
Hi Tinker Bell;
Don’t sweat it, we all are guilty
God had a sense of humor when we were created. We just have to learn to laugh it off.
Oh! I just love you. You made me laugh my first really good laugh of the day, and that’s a good thing as there aren’t all that many hours left to go…..and one of those will be spent meditating….which is probably very funny on some level but I sure won’t be laughing!
Make Fine Dreams, All!
Aye Tinker Bell, it makes my heart feel so good that you are smiling.