Through this experience, I realized that these characters could help other to understand themselves and to resolve the internal conflicts that drive young males in their actions. As I began to study the characters in the novel more closely, I began to realize that Valjean and Javert were not the only characters that represented Jungian archetypes. It became apparent that gaining a better understanding of the characters and the archetypes that they represented could provide valuable clues to the psychotherapist who must work with young males where were now going through many of the same challenges that I experienced at that sensitive age. The archetypes found in the novel are prominent and necessary for the development of a healthy, individuated male (James and Gillaland, n.d. p. 13).

Reading Les Miserables changed my life. I saw many parallels with the character if Jean Valjean. I was abused by my father and,...
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