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conclusion where the upper class is still to be the social class which is more powerful. Such in the ideology conflict between Jean Vealjan and the Bishop or
even between Javert’s and Jean Vealjan’s ideology tha is ended by the moment when Javert commits to suicide. Although each character in Les Miserables
represents a change to their ideology, the upper class’ ideology is still the center of what they believe. Through the characters Hugo emphasizes that the society is
responsible to shape someone’ identity and to teach herhim to live
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.
B. An Ideal Society in Les Miserables
Les Miserables is written as a model of Hugo’s idea about the whole social
system. It projects Hugo’s intention, especially related to the idea of reconstructing
a society. To emphasize his intention and idea, Hugo even puts himself as the main character, a narrator, who explains, clarifies, and leads the readers to understand
his intention. The main idea of Hugo’s ideal society is reflected through the
interaction of the ABC students where they elect a leader for their group. The reality is depicted in Les Miserables to be a model of a social system. In addition,
the complex situation in Les Miserables could be regarded as Hugo’s idea of
reconstructing the social system to create an ideal social condition. Since the novel is written some years during Hugo’s political and religious idea evolution, a
transformation process is depicted. The main focus in Les Miserables does not lie on the economic conflict. The
economic conflict is still exposed through the lower class characters who have to struggle and to keep their job. Only Javert, who has psychological and social issue
203
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 123
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bigger than the economic issue, is described to have good job since the beginning
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. Hugo builds Javert to be a loyal ideology consumer. Thus, the lower class characters do, even Jean Veljean, one of the main character shows a character
of an ideology royal consumer. The condition of producer and consumer in the society is the main condition to determine and set an ideal society
205
. The issue of consuming and producing ideology in the society can be found both in lower class
and upper class characters. It is true that human history is determined by the condition, including social,
economy, and educational background. However, human, as the economic base
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, also produce the history. It means that human, either as an individual or a society,
has double position in the economic base. They are the consumers and the producers. Regardless the fact whether an individual becomes a consumer or a
producer is also determined by their social condition, the relation between the consumer and producer and the effect of being a consumer and producer to their
personal life and the society. For example, Vargas Llosa suggests Javert to be a specific character to
emphasize the act of ideology consumer in Les Miserables
207
. Javert is extremely loyal to his profession and the law. He dares to question Monsieur le maire when
he notices that Monsieur le maire is Jean Veljean
208
. Javert consumes the ideology, in the form of the law, so he neglects the social order. He lives for justice. He works
for the judicial system to order the society based on law. It seems Hugo wants the
204
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 200
205
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, .200
206
T. Eagleton, Marxism and Literature, 7
207
M. Vargas Llosa, The Temptation of the Impossible, 120
208
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 200
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readers to feel Javert’s feeling and dedication. When he finds out that Madeleine is not Jean Veljean, he feels that he betrays his ideology, his way of life. Hugo
describes what Javerts through his monologue clearly: “[...] When I abused my powers as a police officer I became nothing else’.
Bowing low he turned and made for the door; [...] still with his eyes lowered: ‘I shall continue to perform my duties, Monsieur le maire, until I
have been replaced.”
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Hugo also depicts Jean Veljean with clear ideology changing and conflict. Even when he has changed his identity into Madeleine, he acts to be a consumer
rather than a producer. Hugo writes that Jean Veljean changes as something that is more than a transformation. Hugo writes, “It was more than a transformation; it
was a transfiguration,
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”. The narrator, Hugo, explains that Jean Veljean has changed from a criminal into a good man. Jean Veljean consumes what the Bishop
asks him to do and shows him to do. Hugo uses the Bishop as a character who inspires Jean Vealjan ideology transformation through his action of saving Jean
Vealjan when Jean Vealjan is caught for stealing silvers: “I think I was wrong to keep it the silvers so long. It belonged to the poor.
[...] ‘So here you are [...] Had you forgotten that I gave you the candlesticks as we
ll? [...] ‘you must not forget your candlesticks.’ [...] ‘Do not forget, [...] that you have promised me to use the money to make
yourself] an honest man. [...] my brother, you no longer belong to what is evil but to what is good. I have bought your soul to save it from black
thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God.”
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Monseigneur Bienvenu or the bishop is the second contact with the upper class, after the court, with whom Jean Veljean establishes the relation. Hugo
emphasizes Christianity value to transform Jean Veljean. The romantic moral story is narrated as something not only to transform but also to make Jean Veljean a
209
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 201
210
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 208
211
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 111
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totally different person with different ideology and way of life from his old life. By explaining this significant transfiguration, Hugo emphasizes that transformation is
not a single factor that makes Jean Veljean consume new ideology. It is similar to Javert, Jean Veljean or Madeleine does not pay attention to social class when he
tries to save Fantine in the police office. He stands for his new ideology by becoming an honest man who spends his money to help the poor. Once again, his
belief puts him into difficult situation because he has to keep his promise to Fantine; yet at the same time to come to the court and declare the truth that
Madeleine is Jean Veljean, the ex-convict
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. Hugo emphasizes that Jean Veljean changes into Madeleine is more than a
transformation, but a transfiguration. Hugo leads the readers to see that Jean Veljean does not only change his way of life or his identity, but he totally changes
his appearance and his faith or set of belief into particular spiritual state. The idea of Jean Veljean transfiguration reflects an irony of Hugo’s ideology changes. Hugo
can be really firm in describing Jean Velj ean’s spiritual changes, but his ideology
changing has different direction to Jean Veljean. Hugo’s ideology changing seems to be a dramatic changing where he converts or transform into a socialist with very
strong religious soul. Even the minor character, such as Sister Simplice is described with
particular ideological conflict:
212
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 258
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Sister Simplice blushed faintly; she was being urged to tell a lie. On the other hand, she felt that to tell the truth would be to deal Fantine a blow
which might have serious consequences in her present state.
213
Sister Simplice has been living in a strong Christianity ideology which prevents her from telling a lie about anything. The narrator explains that it is even hard for
Sister Simplice to not tell the truth, even for a good cause. At first, Sister Simplice feels that it is too strange to be good to Fantine for she knows that Fantine is a
prostitute. The narrator constantly interrupts the story by explaining and showing his opinion to the very complex social situation, including to Fantine
’s situation where she has to be a prostitute.
Hugo explains in his narration that prostitute is the lowest place of a woman could possibly at as he writes:
It is the story of society’s purchase of a slave. A slave purchased from poverty, hunger, cold, loneliness, defenselessness, destitution. A squalid
bargain: a human soul for a hunk of bread. Poverty offers and the society accepts. Our society is governed by the percepts of Jesus Christ but is not
yet imbued with them, we say that slavery has vanished from European civilization, but this is not true. Slavery still exists, but now it applies only
to women and its name is prostitution.
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Sister Simplice does not really see the complex situation of a prostitute, for she consumes a belief that prostitution is against Christianity. The only reason for
Sister Simplice to treat Fantine well is that Fantine is terribly ill, and she is a mother who has to take care of a little daughter.
From the narration of these three characters, the relation between base and superstructure is depicted. The characters, Javert, Madeleine, and Sister Simplice,
refer to the base which reflects superstructure as their ideology. Every act and point
213
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 236
214
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 180
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of view of the characters are built based on their ideology. Sister Simplice ’
hesitation to help Fantine is built based on the idea in her mind that a prostitute is the lowest position in the society since it is an act of a sinner. Even she finally
decides to help Fantine because Fantine is a mother who would do anything for her daughter, Sister Simplice still feels guilty for helping a prostitute. She then, look
for a justification within her Christianity belief to make sure that she obligates to her faith. Sister Simplice tries to calm herself that it would be fine to help Fantine
for it is the act of love that she learns from Christianity. The situation which is projected in Sister Simplice’ psychological conflict is
a projection of base - superstructure relation. In one side, the concept of belief is developed by the society. It means ideology is actually a product of a society, but
people, as part of the society, live under the ideology that their consciously learn and proclaim. Les Miserables puts these characters in a condition where they have
to act beyond their consciousness ideology concept. It is similar to a person who consciously declares himself as a Christian. This person would put Christianity law
to rule the life, to determine what is right or wrong, what he can or cannot do. The condition is projected in Sister Simplice. She feels as if someone were watching
over her to make sure that she speaks only the truth. Les Miserables shows this situation as a serious condition in the society
which deserves to be noticed. The consumed-ideology characters consciously act against their ideology, especially Sister Simplice and Jean Veljean. They
intentionally go beyond the concept of their conscious ideology. From Hugo’s description about three characters do, including Javert who finally commits
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suicide, it shows that a double consciousness is always be part of social consciousness to form an ideal society.
To construct the society, Hugo suggests a revolution that makes him known as a radical thinker. The idea of reforming a society comes up, for he understands
the false consciousness in the society which is intentionally constrained by a status quo condition. Through Javert, Hugo strongly shows that his idea is more than an
economic issue. Even the most dedicated worker with high rank and great title tragically ends his life due
to hid ideological conflict. This point shows Hugo’s sharp idea of an ideal society, and an ideal society is a society that stays in
progress. To aim the progress in the society, Hugo emphasizes the needs of
democratic system to replace monastery. Thus, he writes: “They elect to whom they owe obedience. They call each other
brother. ” At this point you may interject: “But that is the ideal
monastery ” It is sufficient that its should be a possible monastery for
me to able into account.
215
In “Argot” Hugo emphasizes that democracy, which is represented through the election, is one of the ways to great progress in society. Hugo begins writing Les
Miserables with monarchy belief
216
then he gradually transforms into a republican who agrees with revolutionary movement. In this case, Hugo uses Les Miserables
to be part of the democracy movement. Indeed he believes that literature is also part of democracy. The plot explains that the group of ABC students who supports
the barricade of revolution is the portrayal of Hug o’s republican movement. The
215
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 1207
216
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 1042
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citizens
217
choose a leader on their own. Of course on one side they obey the leader and give him their respect to lead the citizen. However, the elected leader is also a
representation of the citizen’s ideology. It is different from the monarchy system in which the king leads his people for he is a representation of God in their
kingdom
218
. Supporting the previous discussion point of Hugo’s idea to reconstruct the
society, a democracy system, which is reflected in the way the ABC students vote for ta leader, is a projection of the ideology consumer - producer relationship.
Through a democracy system, a society becomes a consumer and producer of ideology at the same time. The democratic system allows the society to elect a
leader. Hugo, through the ABC students, explains that it can be the way to change the social structure for the leader is actually a representation of what society want.
It means the society produces a new ideology yet at the same time they are also obligated to the new system they have produced that place the society as the
consumer. A democracy system is an elaborated of base - superstructure relation. In
monarchy system, the economic base is constructed to be more consumer rather than producer. They are getting used to accept the social ideology constructed by
the power authority. Meanwhile in democracy system, the society is determined and determines the ideology or the way of their life. By electing a leader, they
construct themselves to be the consumers who content themselves with particular concept, and then obediently reflects the concept of the ideology in their daily life.
217
People who support and join the revolutionary movement Hugo, 1057
218
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 1040
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Yet, the members of society who elect a leader on their own would produce particular concept of ideology. The authority is their creation, so the highest
authority is the dominant society itself. There would be a compromising area where all society members can choose a leader whom they think shehe would be a
representation of the society dominant ideology. It is true that Les Miserables emphasizes the transformation, or for Jean
Vealjan Hugo call it transfiguration to emphasize a spiritual change, of individuals that changes social structure. The transformation of the characters reflects more
than a change in Hugo’s fictional society. It is also a projection of Hugo’s ideology transformation. The tendency of changes or transformations of each character in
Les Miserables provides a depiction of Hugo ideology, even though he has already explained about his socialist idea in “Parenthesis” and even his essays.
Contrast with his socialist idea and the use of literature to satisfy people’
hunger and a medium to change social condition, Les Miserables shows that Hugo is still an author that is produced by social structure. Every character who has to
face ideological conflict, in fact has to accept that they have to give up their belief to faith in God. From psychoanalytic - Marxism, the concept of God is actually
projection of human slip of belief where God is mistakenly seen as the creator. In fact, the concept of God reflects a complex psychotic condition that projects
human’ needs of higher authority. Meanwhile, socialism is in line with Marxist belief where God is seen as human’ creation that creates an allusion or false
consciousness.
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Compare to Hugo’s statements in his humanity essays, Les Miserables
shows a contrast depiction. Firstly, Hugo emphasizes the role of monastery to transform the social structure. It is
depicted in Jean Vealjan’s transfiguration where Hugo stresses Jean Vealjan’s faith restoration. Hugo in Les Miserables explains
that monastery has built the social structure and the society needs to stay in progress by leaving monastery. Ironically, the main character who transforms and
creates some changes is narrated to confirm the dominant ideology that is shaped by monastery. Secondly, though Hugo emphasizes the needs of revolution and
socialists to aim an ideal society that is defined as a never ending social process. He always puts faith in God as the center of his belief. As an author, Hugo is a product
of social structure and it reflects in his work where his ideological conflict is projected. There is a bias in his belief where in one side he tries to intend social
changes with socialist concept, ironically he is also God centered. There is also a fading idea of the ideal society. In one side, Hugo
supports the revolution to aim an ideal society. He stresses that an ideal society is a society that stays in a progress through his point of view about monastery. Hugo
states in “Parenthesis” that it is the monastery who has created the social system and social structure. It is the reason why Hugo puts the bishop to begin the story
and to lead Jean Veljean turns into Madeleine. Hugo tries to show the connection between one social system to another social system which is similar to Raymond
Williams’ idea of residual and dominant. Yet, the dominant is not the ideal condition. The society needs emergent to propose new idea and to change the
social structure within the dominant frame. The emergent indeed aims to an ideal condition, but any changes cannot deliver an ideal society. The ideal society is the
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process itself. As Hugo explains that the ideal can only defined by God for God is the Ideal. To aim an ideal society means to keep the society in changes process
with the voice of God that can be defined as morality to inspire the changes. To aim the ideal society, Les Miserables stresses that the ignorant society needs to be
educated. They need to be enlightened that the society is culpable for creating the allusion of base and superstructure relation
219
.
219
V. Hugo, Les Miserables, 123
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CHAPTER IV HUGO’S IDEOLOGY TRANSFORMATION
