well I’m awake at one in the morning anyway so I MIGHT AS WELL TALK ABOUT MY E/R FEELS WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE BOOK AND MUSICAL.
The musical is, obviously, not exactly the same as the book, and their deaths represent different things in both. In the book, the major theme of the story is society’s ills and how these ills prevent people from attaining a good or happy life. A subthread of the book is how pure, hardline ideals can’t be sustained because they can’t function in the world as it exists. In this sense, Javert and Enjolras serve as mirrors to each other: both are unable to resign their beliefs to the world they live in, and both die because they try to uphold them anyway. The big difference is, of course, that Javert dies at his own hand; his sense of purpose is so utterly shaken by Valjean’s existence that he can no longer bear to live. Enjolras dies at the hands of the National Guard, but he dies smiling; he dies at peace. Why?
Well, because of Grantaire. In a book that’s all about people being held up as archetypical examples, Grantaire is the hopelessness to Enjolras’ faith. He loves Enjolras ardently because he wants to be able to believe, but he also lives in the world as it exists; he drinks, he gambles, he jokes. Enjolras is disgusted by him because Grantaire represents to him the worst thing in the world- cynicism. But that’s not entirely true. Grantaire wants to believe, but also lives in the world and sees what it is. Enjolras is emphasized over and over as being chaste and pure and untouched. He lifts himself above it.
But at the end- when they die hand in hand- their worldviews meet, and instead of driving either one to destruction, it saves them in their moment of death. They smile. Enjolras lets himself touch the world; he touches Grantaire. And Grantaire, who believed in nothing, dies for something. This is what the revolution lacked- this combination of high-flown belief and earthy knowledge- and what they two represent together. When they die, they die together, and their mingled blood gives hope for the future.
In the musical, it’s a bit different. The musical- although it does have a strong social justice message- focuses more on the question of love and its power of redemption. Valjean is saved because the Bishop offers him God’s love. Marius and Cosette are the survivors who love each other. Fantine dies for the love of her daughter. Eponine dies for the love of Marius. And what do Enjolras and Grantaire die for?
Obviously the choice on Tom Hooper’s part to include the bookverse’s death scene isn’t one that’s replicated on stage often, if at all. But as always, there is a purpose to their existence, and their brief shared moment during “Drink With Me.” Love is redemption. Love is the face of God. And love, in this musical, is the most powerful force, the one force that transcends even death- as we see when Fantine and Eponine appear to carry Valjean to heaven. Love is a force for good. Love is the revolution. (I’m going to set aside my feelings about queer relationships and their existence as a political act because god this is getting too long and it’s not explicit in the musical BUT REST ASSURED I HAVE FEELINGS) Enjolras and Grantaire love each other, the Amis love each other, and that is what makes the revolution worth something. Enjolras scoffs at Marius’s “lonely soul,” but as in the book, love is a transforming force that carries weight even in the face of death. Love is what will bring tomorrow.
I want to put a reaction gif in here, but I don’t think there is one to properly convey HOW GOOD THIS IS