#i still hear that meaning in lyrics:)

[i-dreamed-i-had-a-son]

“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.

[a-s-levynn]

"Even if the sky cracks in mourning / And the heavens just won't open up for me" A Series of Small Offerings - II/12 - day20

[lonely--seeker]

Natural phenomenon that's been re occuring lately is me and my sibling will be checking some song lyrics and say "this sucks" just to see it's a taylor swift song

[nopeferatu]

The official tracklist for Brokeback Mountain is here, and I am SCREAMING

[sleepanonymous]

Oh, the blossom mirrors on the side of the road  The form becomes fixed in your eyes, cold  This hollow delight is a sight to behold I know, I know…

Oh, the hidden designs are lost on us The highest desire and lowest lust  Just contours and folds in an endless curse  It’s worse, it’s worse…

You are the head the halo orbits  You are the feet that pastures grow  I am the novelty wearing off Wearing off…

[lyrics-that-get-me]

So Sally can wait She knows it’s too late as she’s walking on by My soul slides away “But don’t look back in anger, don’t look back in anger.” I heard you say, “at least not today.”

Don't look back in anger - Oasis

[waugh-bao]

“Tell Me Straight” Lyrics (KR, 2023)

[vampyrluver]

Im into vkei casually in the sense i listen to it but idk wht these bands r doing behind the scenes so imagine my surprise upon realizing tht vkei bands r notorious for having tbe worst ppl alive in their bands

[bluewinnerangel]

top 9 albums you listened to this year? totally random question 🤪

Unlike last year I did listen to a lot of new music this year so 2022 albums this time weee it was even hard to pick a top 9 but in order of release (probably):

Nilüfer Yanya - PAINLESS

ROSALÍA - MOTOMAMI

Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers

Harry Styles - Harry's House

Steve Lacy - Gemini Rights

Joost - Fryslân

The Snuts - Burn The Empire

Louis Tomlinson - Faith In The Future

Little Simz - NO THANK YOU

ramble in the tags

[anthonycrowley]

the beatles were the taylor swift of the 1960s. this is not a compliment.

[snowychicken]

IN THE NIGHT IN THE NIGHT THIS IS HOW IT GOES

WE ARE ALL OR NOTHING

IT'S ALRIGHT IT'S ALRIGHT LISTEN TO YOUR BONES

CAN YOU HEAR IT COMING?

[theokusgallery]

I know it's a classic but I think it fits blondie

https://youtu.be/9RZv-tG0OkU?si=v151h2mIwfJQag8E

Oooh I'm gonna be honest, I like this song (though I'd never listened to an English cover before skjdf) but I... don't super get the lyrics. The vibes of the song are great, and I like how it sounds, but I'm just... not sure what the lyrics mean sdkjghsjl

[spurgie-cousin]

Every time we touch 🤩 oh yeah! I did a student exchange in North Carolina from Germany for one year. And the three very nice and fun guys from my neighborhood that took me home each day listened to that song on repeat. It’s the soundtrack of my exchange year. And you made me remember it. That’s gonna be my next choice for karaoke, I still know every little note of that song😎

Omg it's such a bop...... and once it gets stuck in your head it's there for at least a month lol.

Now I'm singing it again 🙃

[icewindandboringhorror]

*screenshots the highlights of my youtube to mp3 downloads folder as if it were some fancy aesthetic spotify wrapped image or whatever* 

[s-lay-ing]

.

[rosicheeks]

😭