My wife was listening to this today. I've always loved this song. Jean Valjean, after years of running. After building a life for himself, and making himself a pillar of the community. Is finally given the opportunity to be free of the relentless pursuit of Javert that has plagued him for years.
Yet........to do this, he must allow another man, an innocent man, to be condemned in his stead. I love the way he goes thru all the rationalizations anyone would go thru. Considering all the good he does, how important he is. Yet, in the end, the line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PXZ1nLiUZo&feature=related
Truly an act of moral courage. How many of us would have done what Jean Valjean did and condemn ourselves rather than see an innocent wrongfully pay for our crime?
Yet........to do this, he must allow another man, an innocent man, to be condemned in his stead. I love the way he goes thru all the rationalizations anyone would go thru. Considering all the good he does, how important he is. Yet, in the end, the line:
If I speak, I am condemned; if I stay silent, I am damned!
Says it all. He steps forward, admits that he, not the man on trial, is the criminal Javert is seeking. Throwing away everything he has accomplished rather than see an innocent man pay for his crime.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PXZ1nLiUZo&feature=related
Truly an act of moral courage. How many of us would have done what Jean Valjean did and condemn ourselves rather than see an innocent wrongfully pay for our crime?