Who Am I?

The CrossRoads

Throughout life, we often observe or read about examples of individuals confronted with a difficult decision. More often than not, the right/correct decision is quite clear, and can be reached without a lot of consideration or debate - especially when you are looking at the situation from the outside in. However, there are times that what we wish would be a simple choice, becomes a considerable moral dilemma. In these difficult situations, the decisions we make escalate into something much larger because the consequences of our actions or inactions, will dramatically impact the well being of our life, or even the lives of others.

This is why I love the classics (literature). This is why I love the classics being used to foster leadership at John Adams Academy. The classics offer countless examples of individuals coming to a crossroad in life – a crossroad that tests the very foundation of who they are and what kind of character lies beneath what everyone else sees on the surface. To highlight this point, I will draw from two classics that present similar moral dilemma’s, and the outcome of each – ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ and ‘Les Miserables’.

In the Count of Monte Cristo, we learn of a young lawyer… a rising star among the government elite, the Deputy Procureur – M. de Villefort. This young Procurer finds himself interviewing Edmond Dantes, a young sailor who is framed for something he did not do (being a conspirator and supporter of the ousted dictator Napoleon). As Edmond Dantes pleads his case, it is clear to Villefort that Dantes is not guilty of the crime in which is accused of. To Villefort’s horror however, upon further review of the evidence, he realizes who it is that is actually guilty of the crime – his own father. As such, Villefort comes to a crossroad and the decision is clear as to not only the correct legal path to take, but the morally correct path as well. Thus, in the effort to preserve his fathers safety, and more likely his own name and ability to maintain his promising career, Villefort conceals the evidence against his father and allows Edmond Dantes to spend the rest of his days in a gruesome prison for a crime he did not commit.

The second example is that of Jean Valjean from the novel and popular musical Les Miserables. Valjean spent many years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister and nephew. Miraculously, through the grace of Priest, Valjean finds a new life and becomes a prominent Mayor and owner of a company.  However, his past is brought before him as another man is being tried and accused under the name of none other than Jean Valjean. The dilemma is clear and like Villefort, there is much at stake. The people Valjean leads, the factory he runs and the workers he provides jobs to, and perhaps most obvious, his own name and ability to live life in comfort and peace stand in jeopardy. His agony is summed up with words from the song, “Who Am I”:

They think that man is me!

Without a second glance!

That stranger he has found

This man could be my chance

Why should I save his hide?

Why should I right this wrong?

When I have come so far

And struggled for so long?

I am the master of hundreds of workers,

They all look to me

Can I abandon them, how can they live if I am not free?

If I speak, they are condemned...

If I stay silent, I am damned!

For those of you who know both of the stories, Villefort chooses to avoid the virtuous path of protecting the innocent, and Jean Valjean stands forth and sacrifices everything to preserve the life of an innocent man – and lives the next years of his life full of trial and hardship.  In the end however, justice is served as Villefort loses everything he once thought to preserve by condemning an innocent man - including his sanity. Valjean however, knowing that he chose a virtuous path, sees happiness in his final days and lives knowing that he preserved his honor and kept his promise to God,.

We will all have a crossroad of some kind in our lives - perhaps not quite the same magnitude of Valjean and Villefort, but more likely a series of many small moral dilemmas. It will however, be how we respond to these more trivial events that will determine our character and define who we are.

Perhaps we will relive the words of John Valjean as trumpeted in the musical.

Who am I?

Can I condemn this man to slavery?

Pretend I do not feel his agony

This innocent who wears my face

Who goes to judgment in my place

Who am I?

Can I conceal myself for evermore?

Pretend I'm not the man I was before?

And must my name until I die

Be no more than an alibi?

Must I lie?

How can I ever face my fellow men?

How can I ever face myself again?

My soul belongs to God, I know

I made that bargain long ago

He gave me hope, when hope was gone

He gave me strength to journey on

Who am I?

I am Jean Valjean!

As we study the classics within John Adams Academy, individually (“You First”), and most importantly in our homes with our children - our understanding of what constitutes virtue will expand and a strong moral character will be solidified. It is my hope that we can draw from these valuable lessons/stories when we arrive at the difficult crossroads life will undoubtedly present us. At these critical moments we can ask ourselves, “Who Am I”? Ideally, the answer will be a virtuous person that leaves a legacy of greatness for others to follow.

Special Guest Blogger:

Bryan Favero

John Adams Academy Board Member