Important Things People Forget When Talking About Enjolras
-That he cries when he shoots the artillery sargeant
-The tenderness and respect he shows to Mabeuf, even after Courfeyrac tells him that Mabeuf was not a hero of ‘93
-The self-loathing he expresses after killing Le Cabuc
-That in his speech after killing Le Cabuc, he talks about how he wants a world full of love and peace
-That he DOESN’T like violence and death, or using them as tools to gain peaces
-That he wants the family men to leave the barricade, because as much as he loves France, he doesn’t want people dying in vain for her and leaving their families destitute
-That he trusts Grantaire with the trip to the Barriere du Maine, even though he has good reason not to. (He also lets Grantaire sit in on the meetings of his precious Ami’s d’ABC even though he’s constantly disruptive. Where did this interpretation of Enjolras as unnecessarily mean to Grantaire come from?)
-That he’s willing trade Javert, who is a traitor to his beloved Republic, for Prouvaire. He’d rather have Prouvaire alive than see Javert pay.
-And that the other Amis love and trust him. He’s their close friend, not just their leader.
I just…Enjolras, along with Eponine, is probably my fave character, and I hate all this depictions of him as cold and cruel and heartless. “Capable of being terrible” doesn’t mean “always terrible.” “Looks made of marble” doesn’t mean “Is made of marble; has no heart”.
Enjolras is a human being, not an avenging angel, even though he looks like one. He may love France and the Republic, but they’re not all he loves.
Love this list. I’d also add:
- outside of official meetings does not shut down his friends’ shenanigans and is happy to sit there quietly while topics range from “how to buy tight pants” to “how to write a play” to “whatever Grantaire is ranting about today”
- is a very tactile man, and is known to communicate by touch…also doesn’t mind Courfeyrac and Grantaire communicating by whispering in his ear.
- loves and respects diversity in his friends, including traits as far apart as sarcasm, verve, melancholy and “cosmopolitan enthusiasm”. He sees their diverse characteristics as strengths and draws inspiration from them.
