Jungian Archetypes and Jean Valjean

Jungian Archetypes and Jean Valjean in Hugo's Les Miserables

"The Misery of a child is interesting to a mother, the misery of a young man is interesting to a young woman, the misery of an old man is interesting to nobody" (Bischoff, 2005, p. 1).

The purpose of this study will be to examine the Jungian archetypes found in the characters of Valjean and Javert in Hugo's 1862 novel Les Miserables with the purpose of gaining insight that can be used for psychotherapists working with the young male population. The study will use a hermeneutic research methodology to dissect the circumstances events and phenomenon that led to the actions of the characters. By examining these characters and their psyche, the study will develop a method that can be applied to the interpretation and analysis of the situations presented by young male patients seeking psychotherapy. At the present time, the central concept of the research is the development of methods for understanding young male patients using Jungian archetypes as the basis for this analysis. This research will lead to the development of better assessment methods to address the needs of young male patients.

Introduction

Background of the Problem

The purpose of Jungian therapy and psychoanalysis is to help the individual achieve individuation and self-realization. The goal for the patient is to help them along their journey to realize their place in the world. Jungian therapy depends on the ability to reconcile and integrate a number of forces that act on the person. These forces include traits and attitudes that may be beyond the scope of certain persons. In order to achieve individuation and growth, the person must come to terms with the unconscious archetypes and archetypical processes that must be reconciled (James and Gillaland, n.d. p. 3 ). Jungian therapy involves bringing these processes into the conscious mind so that they can be addressed in therapy. Some of the more common means of doing this are to use dream work and art to make the person aware of the archetypes in their lives and how they affect them.

Les Miserables contains many Jungian archetypes. People identify with the characters in Les Miserables because they see parts of the characters in themselves. Young males live in a world that may seem incomprehensible to many, particularly themselves. This research proposes that the Jungian analysis and therapy may help these young males to identify the processes that are influencing their lives, thus providing them clues to help them heal and grow through their experiences.

The character, Jean Valjean is the protagonist in Hugo's 1862 novel. The character's 20-year long conflict with the law for stealing bread during a time of poverty and depression forms the central theme of the novel. The antagonist is the police inspector Javert, who pursues him throughout the novel. In Fantine, Hugo uses the archetype of darkness/hatred/evil through his descriptions of the dark and dreary galleys. The galleys represent the darkness in Jean Valjean's life. Light imagery in the book stands for the good/righteousness. Valjean's struggle between a life of crime and heroic events of goodness represent the struggle between dark and light.

The struggle between dark and light may be familiar to young males, as they try to do what it right by obeying the structure that society imposes on them. Many young males may identify with the struggle between light and darkness that exists in Valjean's soul (Blix, 2007, p. 40). Like Valjean, Javert also has a dark side, one that is hidden in his distant past. He was born in a prison and feels that he must take on the role of defender of society's norms in order to justify and reconcile his dark past. Understanding the archetypes in Hugo's Les Miserables can help psychotherapists to unlock the hidden secrets in the young male patients that they encounter.

Researcher's Interest in the Problem

My interest in the research project stemmed from a personal experience and transference of my own personal feelings when reading Les Miserables as a senior in high school. Through this experience, I realized that these characters could help other to understand themselves and to resolve the internal conflicts that drive young males in their actions. As I began to study the characters in the novel more closely, I began to realize that Valjean and Javert were not the only characters that represented Jungian archetypes. It became apparent that gaining a better understanding of the characters and the archetypes that they represented could provide valuable clues to the psychotherapist who must work with young males where were now going through many of the same challenges that I experienced at that sensitive age. The archetypes found in the novel are prominent and necessary for the development of a healthy, individuated male (James and Gillaland, n.d. p. 13).

Reading Les Miserables changed my life. I saw many parallels with the character if Jean Valjean. I was abused by my father and, like Valjean, was treated like a criminal in school. Fantine symbolized my emotional state at the time, which is the wounded, neglected anima of a man. My high school instructor, Mr. Castle was supportive of me and did not treat me as a reject. His support was unconditional and he came to represent the priest and the compassion that he demonstrated to Valjean.

Only after a spiritual initiation by a female meditation master was I able to master my anger and depression, represented by Cosette for Valjean. For me, Marius and Cosette represents the archetype of the marriage of the masculine and the feminine. Throughout my work with young males in therapy, these archetypes presented themselves. This research will explore how these archetypes can e used by therapists to gain insight into the psyche of their male patients so that they can gain the insight that they need to become individuated young adults.

Statement of the Research Problem