What is & What Can Be
I
One of the fundamental categories of existence in process philosophy is contrast, and Les Misérables vividly embodies this concept by juxtaposing the world as it is with the world as it could be. The story inspires its audience to imagine a more just and compassionate society, where no individual is relegated to a neglected underclass upon which middle-class elites condescendingly "look down." Through its poignant narrative, Les Misérables not only challenges us to envision and strive for a reality where dignity and care are extended to all but also critiques the very notion of a class society and its inherent practice of othering. By humanizing those in the so-called underclass and giving voice and dignity to the marginalized, the story undermines the divisions that sustain social hierarchies and calls into question the legitimacy of systems that dehumanize and exclude. Whether the needed "revolution" is violent or non-violent is left open, but what remains clear is the ultimate aim: a society resembling the vision of process philosophers and many others, where people live with mutual respect and care, ensuring that no one is left behind. Through this, Les Misérables becomes not just a critique of systemic injustice but also a call to action, urging us to reimagine and transform the world toward a more inclusive and humane future.
One of the fundamental categories of existence in process philosophy is contrast, and Les Misérables vividly embodies this concept by juxtaposing the world as it is with the world as it could be. The story inspires its audience to imagine a more just and compassionate society, where no individual is relegated to a neglected underclass upon which middle-class elites condescendingly "look down." Through its poignant narrative, Les Misérables not only challenges us to envision and strive for a reality where dignity and care are extended to all but also critiques the very notion of a class society and its inherent practice of othering. By humanizing those in the so-called underclass and giving voice and dignity to the marginalized, the story undermines the divisions that sustain social hierarchies and calls into question the legitimacy of systems that dehumanize and exclude. Whether the needed "revolution" is violent or non-violent is left open, but what remains clear is the ultimate aim: a society resembling the vision of process philosophers and many others, where people live with mutual respect and care, ensuring that no one is left behind. Through this, Les Misérables becomes not just a critique of systemic injustice but also a call to action, urging us to reimagine and transform the world toward a more inclusive and humane future.
Process Philosophy & Les Misérables
1. Relationality and Interconnectedness
Process Philosophy: Emphasizes the interconnectedness of all entities and the relational nature of existence. Every action impacts others and contributes to the unfolding of reality.
In Les Misérables: The lives of characters like Jean Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Javert, and Marius are deeply intertwined, demonstrating the ripple effects of individual choices and societal systems. Valjean’s transformation influences Cosette’s life, and their shared journey impacts Marius and others. Hugo’s depiction of social and systemic oppression mirrors the process philosophical idea that individual experiences are shaped by broader relational contexts.
2. The Possibility of Transformation
Process Philosophy: Holds that change and growth are central to reality. Every moment is an opportunity for new possibilities, guided by the divine lure toward beauty, love, and justice.
In Les Misérables: Jean Valjean embodies this theme through his journey from a hardened convict to a man of compassion and integrity. His transformation illustrates the process philosophical idea that the past shapes the present but does not determine the future. The “initial aim” of divine lure is evident in Valjean’s repeated decisions to choose kindness over vengeance.
3. Justice as Restorative, Not Retributive
Process Philosophy: Advocates for restorative justice that seeks healing and wholeness rather than punishment.
In Les Misérables: The contrast between Valjean and Javert illustrates this dynamic. Javert’s rigid, retributive justice is ultimately destructive, while Valjean’s mercy and forgiveness reveal the transformative power of restorative justice. Valjean’s actions invite others, including Javert, into new possibilities, even if Javert cannot accept them.
4. The Role of Suffering in Growth
Process Philosophy: Acknowledges the tragic dimensions of life while affirming the potential for beauty and transformation through suffering.
In Les Misérables: The novel does not shy away from suffering—Fantine’s tragic demise, Cosette’s hardship, and the struggles of the poor in Paris. Yet, Hugo weaves these tragedies into a larger narrative of hope and redemption. This reflects Whitehead’s concept of “tragic beauty,” where even the harshest realities contribute to the possibility of deeper love and understanding.
5. Freedom and Responsibility
Process Philosophy: Emphasizes the interplay of freedom and responsibility, with each individual co-creating reality in response to divine lures and relational contexts.
In Les Misérables: Valjean’s choices are powerful examples of responsible freedom. From his decision to protect Cosette to his ethical struggle over revealing his identity, his actions shape the futures of those around him. Javert’s struggle with freedom—his inability to reconcile mercy with his rigid sense of duty—underscores the difficulty and responsibility inherent in moral agency.
6. The Lure of Love
Process Philosophy: Views love as the ultimate lure of the universe, a force driving individuals toward beauty, harmony, and community.
In Les Misérables: Love is a central theme, manifesting in multiple forms—Valjean’s paternal love for Cosette, Marius and Cosette’s romantic love, and the broader love for humanity seen in acts of self-sacrifice and compassion. Love serves as a guiding principle, echoing process philosophy’s vision of divine love as persuasive rather than coercive.
7. The Critique of Static Systems
Process Philosophy: Critiques rigid, mechanistic systems that suppress creativity and growth, advocating for fluid, evolving approaches to life.
In Les Misérables: Javert’s adherence to an unyielding system of law contrasts with Valjean’s adaptive morality rooted in compassion. The novel critiques societal structures that perpetuate poverty and injustice, aligning with process philosophy’s call for systemic transformation that prioritizes relational well-being.
8. Divine Presence in Everyday Life
Process Philosophy: Understands God as immanent, working within the world as a lure toward greater beauty and goodness, rather than as an external, controlling force.
In Les Misérables: Hugo’s narrative is infused with a sense of divine immanence, particularly in the lives of Valjean and the Bishop of Digne. The Bishop’s act of mercy sets Valjean on his path of transformation, embodying the process philosophical idea of God’s presence in acts of love and creativity.
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Creative Transformation
The Spirit of Creative Transformation in Les Misérables
In process philosophy, one of the key ideas is the presence of a spirit of creative transformation within the universe and within each person. This spirit is both divine and human. It is the divine presence in a person’s life but also the true self of that person, understood as a potential waiting to be realized. Or, to say the same thing, a person feels “beckoned” to realize his or her own potential by a true self waiting to be born. This spirit inwardly "lures" individuals to become the best version of themselves, given the circumstances of their lives, while also offering fresh and sometimes unexpected possibilities for growth. Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables exemplifies this idea through its characters and narrative, offering a profound exploration of redemption, transformation, and the possibility of good emerging even amid suffering.
Jean Valjean: From Convict to Redeemer
Jean Valjean’s story is a testament to the power of creative transformation. Initially a hardened convict embittered by years of injustice and rejection, Valjean is profoundly changed by an unexpected act of grace. Bishop Myriel’s mercy becomes the catalyst for Valjean’s transformation, awakening in him the desire to live a life of service and love. This pivotal moment reflects the process philosophical notion of being inwardly lured—or beckoned—toward goodness and growth.
Throughout his life, Valjean responds to this divine and human call by reinventing himself as a successful businessman and protector of the vulnerable. His care for Fantine, his adoption of Cosette, and his moral courage in sparing Inspector Javert’s life all demonstrate his commitment to becoming his best self. Valjean’s journey embodies the creative process of becoming, where past habits and pain are transformed into acts of love and redemption.
Fantine: Sacrifice and the Ripple Effect
Fantine’s tragic arc further illustrates the spirit of transformation. Driven by her unconditional love for her daughter, Cosette, Fantine sacrifices her dignity and well-being to provide for her child. Although Fantine herself does not experience deliverance from her suffering, her love and sacrifice become the foundation for Cosette’s brighter future.
Fantine’s actions ripple outward, inspiring Valjean to adopt and care for Cosette. In process terms, her love is a creative response to adversity, turning her suffering into a legacy of hope and protection. Fantine’s life reflects the idea that even in dire circumstances, the spirit of transformation can work through selfless acts of love.
Cosette: A New Beginning
Cosette’s story exemplifies how the spirit of transformation offers fresh possibilities, even to those born into suffering. Rescued from the abusive Thénardiers by Valjean, she is given a new life filled with love and care. Her journey from a life of hardship to one of hope and happiness reflects the unexpected opportunities for growth and renewal that process philosophy emphasizes.
As Cosette grows into a hopeful and loving young woman, she embodies the transformative power of relationships. Her love for Marius and her connection to Valjean signify how relationality—the core of process philosophy—creates avenues for flourishing and transformation.
Javert: Resistance to Transformation
In contrast to Valjean, Fantine, and Cosette, Inspector Javert resists the beckoning of transformation. His rigid adherence to the law blinds him to the possibility of grace and redemption. When Valjean spares his life, Javert is confronted with a new way of being—one that balances justice with mercy. Unable to reconcile this with his worldview, Javert tragically chooses death over change.
Javert’s downfall illustrates the consequences of rejecting creative transformation. His inability to adapt reflects a failure to embrace the flexibility and openness that process philosophy values, highlighting the importance of responding to life’s lures toward growth.
The Revolutionaries: Collective Transformation
The student revolutionaries of Les Misérables embody the beckoning of transformation on a societal level. They envision a world of justice and compassion, fighting for freedom and equality. Though their struggle ends in tragedy, their revolutionary spirit inspires others to dream of a better world.
The revolutionaries highlight the collective aspect of creative transformation. In process thought, the beckoning toward growth is not limited to individuals but extends to societies and systems. Their actions demonstrate the interplay of personal and communal transformation, showing how the spirit of creativity can shape history and inspire future generations.
Éponine: Love and Selflessness
Éponine’s story provides another example of transformation, though hers is marked by unrequited love and sacrifice. Despite her pain, Éponine chooses to protect Marius, even at the cost of her life. Her selflessness transforms her suffering into an act of courage and love, echoing the process philosophical idea that even deeply ingrained habits of selfishness can be creatively redirected toward the good.
Éponine’s final act of selflessness demonstrates how the beckoning of transformation can lead to moments of profound moral and emotional growth, even in the face of personal despair.
Tragic Beauty and Hope
Ultimately, Les Misérables reflects Whitehead’s idea of “tragic beauty.” The suffering and loss in the story are not erased, but they are integrated into a larger pattern of redemption and meaning. Fantine’s sacrifice, the revolutionaries’ struggle, and Éponine’s selflessness contribute to the broader tapestry of love and hope.
The spirit of creative transformation permeates Hugo’s narrative, reminding us that even amid pain and despair, new possibilities for growth and goodness emerge. This spirit, both divine and human, beckons each character—and us—toward realizing a true self waiting to be born, offering hope that the harshest realities can be transformed into something beautiful.
Look Down
Who Am I?