Jay Gatsby, Jean Valjean and Henry Fleming: The Compare and Contrast Analyses of the Characters Essay

The way the characters of the main protagonists are revealed in the novel is one of the most important things in every piece of literature. Some characters are especially successful and leave their trace in the minds and hearts of readers. Among such successful characters developed through the entire literature course are Henry Fleming, Jay Gatsby, and Jean Valjean. In the following paper, I have my goal to observe the similarities and the differences between the main protagonists of “The Red Badge of Courage” novel by Stephen Crane, “The Great Gatsby” novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and “Les Misérables” novel by Victor Hugo. Their characters’ compare and contrast analyses show them to be quite similar young men in their origin, but very different persons at the end of their life.

Speaking about the similarities between the characters of Henry Fleming, Jay Gatsby, and Jean Valjean, it should be stated that they are quite a lot. All the three characters have similar backgrounds: their origin is very modest. However, Gatsby manages to succeed to acquire fabulous riches. Just like Henry Fleming and Gatsby, Jean Valjean is not afraid of hard work to achieve his goals. Just like Jay Gatsby, Jean Valjean finds himself interested in labor bringing money and particular in innovative industrial technologies. Just like Henry Fleming, Jean Valjean undergoes several really important changes in his character with the development of a story plot of the novel. Different factors and circumstances affect the main protagonists of the novels under consideration, however, in all their cases we see how significant the changes are. We read about Fleming’s final enlightenment, under the influence of his brave companions and their glorious deeds “he turned now with a lover’s thirst to images of tranquil skies, fresh meadows, cool brooks–an existence of soft and eternal peace” (Crane 117). In both of the cases with Henry and Jean, the kindness and consideration they received from the people who surrounded them make them better people.

Speaking about the differences between the characters of Henry Fleming, Jay Gatsby, and Jean Valjean, a few main facts should be taken into consideration. First of all, the main difference in the characters of all the three young men is their soul condition: while Valjean and Fleming improve their souls with the development of the novels’ events, Gatsby becomes corrupted by the wrong ambitions. We read at the end of “The Great Gatsby” novel about Gatsby and his wife, “they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made” (Fitzgerald 231). Unlike the two other characters, Gatsby also has a significant optimism within himself, which motivates him to achieve his goals as to self-realization no matter what it costs him. The other young men derive inspiration from their close ones. We read about Jean’s source of inspiration, “Love is the foolishness of men, and the wisdom of God.” (p. 1347) His love for Myriel changes his entire character from gloomy and evil to positive, kind, and loving.

Reflecting on all the facts to be mentioned so far, it should be concluded that the characters of Henry Fleming, Jay Gatsby, and Jean Valjean are all masterpieces of character-developing ability. All the characters are very strong and leave their special trace in the minds and souls of the readers, teaching them important life lessons. The three characters under consideration prove to be very similar at the beginning of the novels but appear to develop in very different ways eventually.

Works Cited

Crane, S. The Red Badge of Courage. United States: CreateSpace, 2011. Print.

Fitzgerald, S. The Great Gatsby. United States: Scribner; Reissue edition, 2004. Print.

Hugo, V. Les Miserables. United States: Simon & Brown, 2011. Print.