Victor Hugo's “Les Misérables” is one of the most unique and powerful redemption stories of all time. This story is unique in many different ways; from its diverse cast of characters to its meticulous blend of plots. One of the truly unique aspects of “Les Mis” is the character of Javert, the main antagonist. The factor that makes Javert so unique is that, rather than the atypical “villain” of modern literature, Javert is a complex individual with a strong sense of justice and morality. Indeed, only in a novel as profound and religious as “Les Mis” could Javert be considered an antagonist. By analyzing the intricate themes of “Les Mis”, one can see that very deliberate writing was required to successfully create this character. Given a simple description of Javert and his actions, one might not immediately deduce that he is in fact an antagonist. Simply put, Javert is a police inspector, totally dedicated to his job, zealous for justice to the point of obsession and morally honest. This could easily be the description of the protagonist of any crime novel. This then leaves the question: how can Javert be an antagonist? The direct answer is quite simple: he is in direct opposition to Jean Valjean, the protagonist. Javert must therefore, by default, be the antagonist. By definition, an antagonist opposes and/or fights against the hero of the story. During "Les Mis", Javert hunts Valjean with zeal, stopping at nothing to see him return to prison. He also takes sides against the student rebellion, which Valjean seems to support, causing an opposition of ideals. We say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Even with these arguments, the concept of Javert as a “villain” may be confusing to some readers. If Valjean is a convict and Javert is a police inspector, isn't he (Javert) just "doing his job"? The reader may begin to wonder whether Valjean is actually an anti-hero, a tainted individual with his own sense of morality. This concept, however, is not the case with “Les Miserables”. Jean Valjean is an upstanding citizen, mayor, factory owner and philanthropist, who follows Christian principles without ulterior motives. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. To fully understand the concept of Javert as an antagonist one must go to the heart of “Les Misérables”. Ultimately, “Les Mis” is a story of redemption. It is a detailed account of a soul's journey from darkness to light. Throughout this story, the message of justice peppered with mercy emerges repeatedly. Jean Valjean, as the protagonist, is essentially the embodiment of this message, a living testimony to the power of grace. It is when we examine Javert in this context that we see him for what he is: if Valjean is the embodiment of grace, Javert is the embodiment of condemnation. Just as the protagonist and antagonist are opposed, so mercy and condemnation are opposed. Valjean and Javert now become not a clash of individuals, but a clash of theologies; with Valjean representing justice through grace and Javert representing justice through law. James 2:13 of the New Testament says that “mercy triumphs over judgment.” Hugo, a religious man, no doubt had this in mind when he orchestrated the conflict between Valjean and Javert. He also explains it by revealing to the reader the ultimate goal of these two characters and, essentially, of these two theologies. Valjean, the representative of justice through grace, dies happy and satisfied, having received mercy himself after showing mercy to others..