... is evidenced in the novel through Fantine, a young girl who is employed by Valjean (M. Madeleine; Valjean's assumed identity). She is an unwed mother, who is being blackmailed by the people who are caring for her daughter, Cosette. Fantine is forced into prostituting herself to pay the Thenardier's rising demand for money. One night, while waiting for possible customers outside a bar, Fantine is ... promises to care for her and her child. Javert's actions toward Fantine demonstrate the rigidness and inflexibility of the justice system in France at that time. Both punished people without...

• Word Count: 1206
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School