Les Misérables is filled with characters that embody several different

political ideologies, such as the revolutionary “schoolboys” representing the true

republicans of France (the conservatives), while Javert and his national guard

represent the liberalists. These two major factions are all represented very well

throughout both the films and the show.

In the case of Enjorlas and Marius as well as the rest of the common soldiers

they embody the ideals of the conservatives the republicans of France. These

people didn’t like Louis-Phillipe, due to how he was too liberal in his own beliefs

for their liking, as well as not liking the fact they had yet another king. The anger

of the republicans was quelled by General Jean Lamarque, whom both in Les Mis

and real life was a leading republican figure, died and caused a disturbance among

this group of people. These fighters are most literally the republicans of the June

Rebellion of 1832.

As for Javert and the National Guard, these men are those of the liberal

ideals. In the movie and show we do not really know whether or not they all are

liberal, but we do know that they fight for the king, Louis-Phillipe, who is liberal.

These men were used as the king’s men, and Javert as inspector would be rather

high up on their chain of command in Paris. These men were all used for the liberal
cause of keeping the king in power and therefore represent all that the liberals

represent.

The use of all of these characters in context of actual history shows the

viewpoints of the political parties in France. There are mediators in the story of Les

Misérables and help to reason with the two sides but in the end, one kills the other,

this also shows the swinging of the pendulum from one political party to the next,

this is also shown in Enjorlas’ line of; “Let others rise to take our place, until the

Earth is free!” There will be a clash of ideals until all of the world is free.