" Those that he considered the "scum of the earth" had no family, no home. He believed that since they had nothing, they respected nothing. He also believed that it was his duty "to protect the former from the latter." He devoted his entire life to upholding his beliefs and "protecting the citizens" from Valjean, who was "the scum of the earth." Later, when Valjean has the opportunity to kill Javert, he sets him free. The next day, Javert returned the favor by letting Valjean go. He gave up on everything that he had believed-Valjean had not been "the scum of the earth." He no longer sees a reason for living; his entire life had been based upon a lie. Javert ends up taking his life at this point; but at least he died understanding the truth.
In the story, there is a boy named Marius. All his life, he has been taught that his father had fought for the Imperialists. He was taught that the Imperialists were in the wrong and that they ruined France. His father had been disowned so Marius believed that he was wrong. However, once Marius found out more about his father, he began to agree with him. He took his father's title of Baron and he ,too, was disowned. He then took up the rebel cause by joining the ABC Club. He saw it as his duty to continue what his father had helped start. He fought at the barricades and was later acknowledged by his grandfather. His feelings toward his father had been brutal from the start but he soon took up his cause. He saw it as his duty.
Another character rose from Hell to Heaven. Fantine's life was her own personal hell. She became pregnant after giving in to a foreman that was harassing her and cutting her wages. She lost her job because she had a child. With no money and nowhere to go, she left her child under the care of an innkeeper and his wife, the Thenardiers. Next, Fantine returned home and worked as a prostitute in order to send money to the Thenardiers as payment for Cosette's care.
