France in the Age of Les Miserables……………..Ideals: Political Symbolism in Paris
As France undergone different political stages, there were a lot of political icons that brought about. During the revolution, Paris was made to cope up with the diverse ideals of different government. These ideals were fundamentally dissimilar from each other in the beginning of this period, but when Victor Hugo came to the picture, they had established a way to coincide different government strategy.
The conflict of different political scheme first appeared during the French Revolution in 1789. Louis XIV was a city with a monarchial institution. There was no city planning of streets or houses. Paris was deeply behind meeting the hygiene needs of the Parisians, and all the areas the Parisians went they were always reminded of the monarchial institute.
In 1799, Napoleon’s assuming power in France was the turning point for the revolution. His mentality was excellent, he never want revolt any more than Louis XIV had and this contributed much to the development of the city. His contribution included the replacement of statues of Liberty with ones celebrating his army, and the column devoted to him in the Pace Vendome. Nevertheless, placing a statue of a giant elephant in the Place de la Bastille was the one of the weirdest thing he did to the city. This decaying elephant plays a petite part in Hugo’s Les Miserables as the home of the gamin Gavroche. The Vendome column dedicated for him and the weird giant elephant fit with Napoleon’s design which is to glorify the accomplishments of France under his own regime and de-emphasize the revolution of 1789.
The re-establishment, by King Louis XVIII and Charles X, had parallel idea to that of Napoleon in down regime before it. The statue of Napoleon was taken down from the Vendome column, during the time of Louis XIV the statues were returned to their original places.
Under the Louis-Philippe bourgeoisie rule that the monuments of Paris began to be neutralized. In his time that the statue of Napoleon was returned to its place atop the Vendome column, contradictory to this was the position of the column topped by the Genius Liberty at the Place de le Bastille. In between these two monuments, the Place de la Concorde, was placed the Obelisk of Luxor. Like that of Napoleon Bonaparte’s elephant had the effect of neutralizing the square that no political party could claim the center of Paris. At the same time, the positioning marked the separation of the halves of Paris between their respective political orientations.
I was able to study a little bit about Paris when I was studying there a couple of years back. Among all the political icons of Paris that I have read and studied about, my favorite would be hands down Napoleon Bonaparte. Though it seemed like he was a mad man in search of more and more power, you still have to hand it to him for his excellent leadership. To others, his ambitions and dreams seemed far fetch but to him he considered it as goals that like anything else can be achieved with hard work. That to me speaks of incredible character and something we should all admire, his life teaches me not to settle for mediocrity, instead always aim high.
I agree with you on your idea about Napoleon, I mean he wasn’t known internationally for nothing! Though he may have done a few off ideas, you still cannot put aside the great works he has done especially for France. His leadership and his vision was excellent, and the fact that his code of laws became the foundation of existing French laws tell you something about his leadership and his influential rule over France.
I may say that Napoleon is the Icon in terms of politics. Like what you said Antonio, he searched of more power, he was not contented, but he used it in a manner that could help France. Although, some people may see it in a different perspective, the efforts of Napoleon seems to work. His outstanding leadership brings Paris to what it is at present.
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