Jean Valjean VS George Bailey

 Jean Valjean VS George Bailey

Dr. Jassim Taqui

When I was barely 13 years old, I read the Arabic rendering of two super novels. The first was Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables. The central figure in that novel is Jean Valjean. He was arrested and sentenced to a long term in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s children. However, when he was released, he accidentally interacted with Bishop who showed him unprecedented kindness. It was that kindness that made Jean Valjean radically transform his life to the extent that he almost became a saint.

The second novel was “ The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern, which was adopted for Hollywood by Frank Capra and  converted it into a Christmas  family fantasy drama film titled,” It’s a wonderful life.” Frank Capra excelled in highlighting the principal character, George Bailey.

Unlike Jean Valjean, George Bailey was himself very kind. He needed not to reform himself but worked hard to reform his community at the expense of his life and that of his family.

Thus, Les Miserables and It’s a wonderful life differ markedly in the plot but could not differ in their theme. And the theme is superb and thought-provoking. The theme touches the inner self. It motivates the individuals and causes their spiritual elevation. The theme is how kindness touches the soul and conscience of individuals. How to bring about change. How to change individuals into saints.