Which adjective best describes Inspector Javert?
On a related note, Deontology describes someone who believes in absolute obedience to religion and authority.
I’ve never heard anyone described as a “legalist.” If I had a dollar for everytime I had heard someone called a legalist, I’d have…well, a bunch of dollars. No car payments, for sure. But my domain is primarily church and seminary folk, who use the term to describe people who believe that strict adherence to some Biblical code of conduct or church polity is essential if one is to be saved. I think it fits Javert well because he is clearly religiously motivated (at least in the musical; I’m not so familiar with the book), and there is a clear theme of grace versus works in the story, which is why the character and actions of the bishop are so important. He believes that redemption is possible even for law-breakers. He honors God through his mercy. Javert tries to honor God through rigorous devotion to law and punishment for violators, who cannot be redeemed, only punished. Okay, that’s long, but the point is, you call Javert a legalist around my associates, and there’ll be no doubt wh
