Questions on Javert
What was his problem? He clearly hated criminals and lower classes with a burning passion, but why? He said to Valjean, "I was born with scum like you! I am from the gutter, too!" But wouldn't that make him more sympathetic towards poor people, beggars, thieves, etc? Did he not get along with his parents, so he thought all people like them were evil? Did his parents beat him or something? Did police/guards take him away from his family and brainwash him into hating them while claiming to give him a better life?
Any backstory/insight would be welcome. I haven't read the book, but I've seen the movie multiple times. I am thinking about reading the novel at some point, however.