Javert
Javert is a character from Victor Hugo's novel *Les Misérables*, a fanatically rigid police inspector who relentlessly pursues the protagonist Jean Valjean for decades over a minor crime.
The name has become shorthand for an authority figure whose obsessive commitment to rules overrides common sense, mercy, or proportionality.
My parking enforcement officer is a total Javert—she ticketed me while I was still in the car.
- Victor HugoFrench nineteenth-century novelist
- French literatureWritten works from France
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
- ParisFrance's chief city
Jean Valjean · novel · classic · tragic figure · antagonist · pursuer · Seine River · suicide
Compelling compliance with rules
- constableLow-ranking peace officer
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- arrestSeize by law
patrol · surveillance · badge · uniform · handcuffs · investigation · warrant · authority
Act of chasing something
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- single-mindedDevoted to one purpose
- monomaniaFixation on single idea
- fixationPersistent mental attachment
dogged · implacable · unyielding · consumed · persecution · stalker · haunting · fanaticism
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- strictRigorous, without flexibility
adamant · obdurate · intransigent · immovable · austere · unswerving · hardline · ironclad
Moral correctness or virtue
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
accountability · principles · rectitude · uprightness · due process · consequence · verdict · law-abiding
Les Misérables
- Victor HugoFrench nineteenth-century novelist
- French literatureWritten works from France
- 19th centuryThe eighteen hundreds
Jean Valjean · Paris · novel · classic · tragic figure · antagonist · pursuer · Seine River · suicide · redemption
enforcement
Compelling compliance with rules
- constableLow-ranking peace officer
- officerAuthority figure in uniform
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
arrest · patrol · surveillance · badge · uniform · handcuffs · investigation · warrant · authority · crime
pursuit
Act of chasing something
- relentlessContinuing without pause
- single-mindedDevoted to one purpose
- monomaniaFixation on single idea
fixation · dogged · implacable · unyielding · consumed · persecution · stalker · haunting · fanaticism · zealotry
inflexible
Unable to bend
- unbendingRefusing to change position
- uncompromisingRefusing to yield ground
- sternStrict or ship's aft
strict · adamant · obdurate · intransigent · immovable · austere · unswerving · hardline · ironclad · unadaptable
righteousness
Moral correctness or virtue
- moralityRight and wrong principles
- retributionPunishment for wrongdoing
- punishmentPenalty for an offense
judgment · accountability · principles · rectitude · uprightness · due process · consequence · verdict · law-abiding · order
- French Literature Villains
- Fictional CharactersAlice, Oliver Twist, Hermione Granger, Harry Potter, Bilbo Baggins
- literary charactersSherlock Holmes, Scout Finch, Elizabeth Bennet, Macbeth, Huck Finn
- French CharactersJean Valjean, Cosette, Athos, Porthos, Aramis
- Musical CharactersElphaba, Jean Valjean, Cosette, Fantine, Marius
- Victor HugoLes Miserables, Notre-Dame de Paris, Jean Valjean, Quasimodo, Cosette
JavertJean Valjean
Christ figure · redeemer · forgiver · Good Samaritan · Atticus Finch
Javertfugitive
One fleeing authorities
outlaw · criminal · lawbreaker · Robin Hood · rebel
- javelin throwsAthletic spear-launching events
- javelin throwingCompetitive long-range spear sport
- javelin throwerAthletic spear hurler