“because he never accepts that it's never been about righteousness--it's about repentance.” except javert killing himself IS repentance.
well, it’s like 12 different things, because bro had gone days without sleeping and very little food and water and he already had low self-worth and kept asking the amis to kill him and just assumed he was going to die AND THEN valjean upended his understanding of the world and morality. he was really going through it & there are a lot of overlapping reasons for why he jumps into the seine.
but javert is like Number One Most Responsible guy in the whole story. taking responsibility is his Thing (forever bitter the musical doesn’t include the punish me monsieur le maire scene). how else, in his derailment, could he atone for his conceived misdeeds other than by handing in his resignation to god? in the brick he had already left a note urging his superiors to treat convicts at toulon better, which is another step in his repentance (and another crime the musical commits by not including it). jumping into the seine was another step.
honestly a lot of ppl who like the book think the musical was dead wrong to exclude him from the big heaven group sing, because it COMPLETELY undermines the themes of forgiveness and compassion threaded throughout les mis. like the musical was simply wrong lol.
This is helpful context! I am still finishing the brick, although I have fully read the abridged version, and that detail about the letter wasn't included, so I didn't know that occurred! (And thank you for the message--this is a long response but I'd love to hear more of your thoughts!)
I agree that Javert is certainly deeply distraught and remorseful; like you mentioned, his worldview is literally falling apart, and his actions reflect his mental state. But his death isn't really repentance--in the sense that it's not what God would have wanted. To me it reads like a Judas situation: a desperate realization of a huge mistake, and doing the only thing you think can make it right, namely, ending it all. That's the just punishment for someone so wrong, isn't it?
But true repentance, meaning the repentance that the Lord desires, is about changing your ways, not "paying a price." Had Javert really understood the beauty of Valjean's mercy (an image of Christ's, just as the bishop's undeserved mercy was to Valjean himself), rather than killing himself, he would have lived to also become "an honest man"--in heart. One who could forgive and understand forgiveness, for himself as well as others. One who could recognize that he is not The Law, that he can fall, but that he can also be "brought to the light." One who could accept that men like Valjean, and men like himself, CAN change, and be changed.
It's tragic to me because so much of "Stars," and his character in the book as well as the musical, is about wanting to be righteous, to rise above his birth and the sinfulness he associates it with. It's about wanting to please the Lord by his actions. But in his end, he shows he never understood what God really wanted from him, and that's where my original phrase comes in: not righteousness, but repentance. To live, and face the man you were, knowing it's no longer the man you are. That it's never been about what you've done or can do, but about what's been done for you. That's the Gospel that he could never fully accept.
To use another example you mentioned, that misunderstanding drives why he asks the Mayor (Valjean) to punish him--in his worldview, mercy is unjust, or at the very least, unfair. Evil must be punished; "those who fall like Lucifer fell" receive "the sword." But "as it is written," God "desires mercy, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). God would have wanted Javert to live, and Javert couldn't see that, and that's why it's devastating to me. In his misunderstanding of the heart of God, he misses what would have set him free from the chains of sin he's always been trying to escape.
That's why he's contrasted with Valjean, who (though he carries guilt about his past till the end of his life) is eventually able to face it and confess what he had done to those he loves. He knew there was mercy to be found, if only it was asked for. Javert was too blinded by pride and shame to realize it, and so, while broken, he never was able to truly repent.
For that, you must go on.
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The Seventh Year
At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is the manner of remission: Every creditor shall cancel what he has loaned to his neighbor. He is not to collect anything from his neighbor or brother, because the LORD’s time of release has been proclaimed. You may collect something from a foreigner, but you must forgive whatever your brother owes you.
— Deuteronomy 15:1-3 | The Reader’s Bible (BRB)
The Reader’s Bible © 2020 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. All rights Reserved.
Cross References: Deuteronomy 15:9; Deuteronomy 23:20; Deuteronomy 31:10; Nehemiah 10:31
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@bxtsence said: 👁 for Rowan of course hehe
(come get sal's honest thoughts on your muse - open)
"Rowan is a fuckin' jackass," Salvatore says with a roll of his eyes. "I don't know what crawled up his ass and died, but I think he's an asshole." A long pause. "I get the kid's been through a lot, but he doesn't need to be such a prick about it."
Salvatore leans back against the wall, resting his hands casually in his pockets. "But... he's what, twenty-two? I was a fuckin' shithead when I was his age." He sounds like an old man, but well, that's exactly what he is. Whatever. "I don't have the room to judge, all things considered, and he ain't always that bad. Sometimes he's even nice to talk to."
Despite himself, Salvatore cracks a smile. "I feel bad, really, seein' him get caught up in all the bullshit with Dio. I know it ain't my place to do anything, but..." He trails off. "Guess we're both chumps for endin' up in this mess. Can't hold it against him for bein' an asshole sometimes, like I said."
A laugh escapes him then and he shakes his head. "His music taste is dogshit, but I bet he'd say the same about the records I like. So we're even on that."
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Hand over the ocs 🫵👁️👁️🫳
Aye aye captain 🫡
Imma just first go with..
Eros! What happens when you mix the Eros god with sans? This lol. But he isn't a Sans, he just chooses to have that form. The god of lust, etc etc
A motherfucker, he appears as the right hand of.. someone and helps the ones in desperate need but when they don't pay back? Cain appears and take their lives instead. Actually based on a song hehe
What happens if you fuse my wine and money? Cider lol. A smooth operator, can manipulate his way out without no one asking further information. Literally the worst of both worlds: manipulation of Wine and reading through lies of Money.
My beautiful girl who's a drider monster! Aka another version of spider monsters lol. She isn't fierce or anything, loves getting his spider side caressed, it's like a centaur but.. with a big spider, she's nice I swear
Following the monsters, here's Ceto! A shy bb who's a gorgon monster. Don't worry, they won't turn you into stone if you don't scare them, intention before everything! Each spider is a own mind but they're all sweethearts. Baby <3
I drew Sans as a human AND Mexican because intrusive thoughts, he's stinky, full of dad jokes, loves to drink spicy sauce as water, barely leaves his house. Those aren't grey hairs.. maybe some are but he dyed his hair to match his brother!
Same thing with Samuel, here's my take on a Mexican human papyrus! My baby boy, who's full of mischief and can trap you on a maze! Loves tamales and any other Mexican food! He designed his own battle body!! He's so cool oml
And that's it! Feel free to ask questions about anyone!! <3
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Celebrate Pride with Tor Publishing Group!
The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang
Mountain outlaws on the margins of society, the Bandits of Liangshan proclaim a belief in justice—for women, for the downtrodden, for progressive thinkers a corrupt Empire would imprison or destroy. They’re also murderers, thieves, smugglers, and cutthroats. Together, they could bring down an empire.
Now available in paperback!
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
The long-awaited sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea is a story of resistance, lovingly told, about the daunting experience of fighting for the life you want to live and doing the work to keep it. Welcome back to Marsyas Island—home to six magical and purportedly dangerous children. This is Arthur’s story.
The West Passage by @jpechacek
When the Guardian of the West Passage dies in her bed, the women of Grey Tower feed her to the crows and go back to their chores. No successor is named, and no hand takes up the fallen blade, so the West Passage—the ancient byways of the beast—goes unguarded. This is a weird and delightful journey across a deliriously medieval landscape where decay thrives in abundance and giant Ladies rule a palace the size of a city.
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker
On the thirtieth anniversary of the largest magical massacre in New Orleans history, Clement and Cristina Trudeau mourn their father and care for their sick mother. But their mother isn’t sick, they learn: She’s cursed. Cursed by a member of the same magic council over which she used to preside. Cursed by someone who will come for Clement and Cristina next.
Now available in paperback!
Bury Your Gays by @drchucktingle
After so many years, Misha’s big Oscar moment is here. All he has to do? Kill off the gay characters in his long-running streaming series, “for the algorithm.” Misha refuses, but that’s hardly the end, because monsters from his old horror movie days have begun to step out from the silver screen and stalk him.
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
The Cleric Chih accompanies a young bride to her wedding to Lord Guo, the aging ruler of a crumbling estate, but amid the elaborate courtesies and extravagant banquets, they realize something haunts the shadowed halls. As the big night nears close, Chih will learn that not all monsters dwell in shadows; some hide in plain sight.
Remedial Magic by Melissa Marr
1) An unassuming librarian falls in love with a powerful witch.
2) Previous librarian discovers she too is a witch…
3) …and that she must attend magical community college to learn how to save her new world from annihilation.
Swordcrossed by @fahye
Part-time con artist / full-time charming menace Luca Piere didn’t expect to get blackmailed into teaching a chronically responsible merchant Matti how to wield a sword. He also didn’t expect to find his charge so inconveniently handsome, or to get so entangled in his tale of intrigue, sabotage, and matrimony.
It’s important to read Swordcrossed because while you’re reading gay fiction, you can also study the blade.
Celebrate Pride with more titles from Tor Publishing Group here!
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TIME-SENSITIVE PALESTINIAN FUNDRAISERS! PLEASE PAY ATTENTION!!!
Siraj (@siraj2024)
-> Siraj is a father of 3 young children and his family has been trying to rebuild their home since June. They have been forced to live in unsafe conditions in tents they have described as "a convection oven," and in the past week Siraj has narrowly escaped two of Israel's massacres that martyred hundreds of people. Despite his relentless efforts, his campaign has been moving slowly. His short term goal is $10k CAD, his final goal is $82k CAD, and he's currently at ~$7k CAD.
-> Line 219 on Nairuz and Hussein's spreadsheet
Wafaa (@wafans-blog)
-> Wafaa is a grandmother to a large family with very young children. She evacuated to Egypt 5 months ago and hasn't been able to see her family that whole time. Since then, she has been tirelessly campaigning for her family on instagram, tiktok, and tumblr. She has been shadowbanned and had her blog terminated multiple times. Her total goal is €60K and she needs to get there as soon as possible.
-> Line 171 on Nairuz and Hussein's spreadsheet
Shahed (@shahednhall)
-> Shahed is a 21-year-old university student and photographer. She is the sole provider for her family, including her father (a heart patient) and 5 younger siblings (the youngest of whom is an infant). Her sisters have severe hepatitis and urgently need medical care that is no longer available in Gaza and need to evacuate as soon as they get the chance.
-> Line 224 on Nairuz and Hussein's spreadsheet
THEY NEED TO MEET THEIR GOAL VERY SOON - DON'T DELAY!!!
DONATE AND SHARE! SAVE MONEY, PRESSURE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH DISPOSABLE INCOME! THERE ARE PEOPLE GOING INTO DEBT TO HELP PALESTINIANS GET TO SAFETY. IF THEY CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU. IF WE WORK TOGETHER AND WORK HARD WE CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE.
STEP UP.
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