LES MISERABLES

FIGHT. DREAM. HOPE. LOVE

Les Miserables means (the miserable or  poor wretches)
written by: Victor Hugo during 19th Century in France in the year 1862

*WINNER FAVORITE MUSICAL AWARDEE OF 2012

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Genre: Drama, Romance

Charcters:

The hero:  Jean Valjean 
The ex-convict who had been imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread. Primary protagonist.  ex-convict Jean Valjean, who becomes a force for good in the world but cannot escape his dark past

Monsiegneur Bienvenu 
The benevolent priest of the first book whose generosity and self sacrifice changes Valjean. 

Cosette 
The child of Fantine whom Valjean raises as his granddaughter. 

The villain:  Inspector Javert 
The inspector of police who’s lifelong ambition is to put Valjean back behind bars. 

Marius 
College student and idealist who falls in love with Cosette.

M. Gillenormand 
Grandfather of Marius. Representative of the old bourgeois. 

Thenardier 
The paragon of evil both in character and in representation of other negative forces. 

Minor Characters 

The Damsel: Fantine
Cosette’s mother. Has Cosette during a relationship with a college student who leaves her without marrying her or providing for the child. Fantine is forced to leave Cosette with someone who will supposedly take care of her while Fantine works for her support. 

M. Fauchelevant
An old gardener whom Valjean rescues when a cart falls on him. Later helps provide a place of refuge for Valjean and Cosette. 

Eponine
Daughter to Thenardier. 

Enjolras
College student-primary leader of the insurrection. His mistress is France. 

Gavroche
Son of Thenardier. 

Felix Tholomyes, Listolier, Fameuil, Blacheville
Students

Champmathieu
Another convict who is captured and believed to be Valjean. 

Sister Simplice, Sister Perpetue
The nuns who take care of Fantine. 

Colonel George Pontmercy
Marius’ father. 

Setting: 

France in the 1800's during the period of the Restoration. The major action is in Paris, but some episodes take place in neighboring towns. 

-1823, MONTREUIIL-SUR-MER PARIS 

Plot: 

Jean Valjean, known as Prisoner 24601, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in post-revolutionary France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the June Rebellion

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo, 'Les Miserables' travels with prisoner-on-parole, 24601, Jean Valjean, as he runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert on a journey beyond the barricades, at the center of the June Rebellion. Meanwhile, the life of a working class girl with a child is at turning point as she turns to prostitution to pay money to the evil innkeeper and his wife who look after her child, Cosette. Valjean promises to take care of the child, eventually leads to a love triangle between Cosette, Marius who is a student of the rebellion, and Eponine, a girl of the streets. The people sing of their anger and Enjolras leads the students to fight upon the barricades

Theme:

*Human Rights

*The Importance of Love and Compassion­­­

In Les Misérables, Hugo asserts that love and compassion are the most important gifts one person can give another and that always displaying these qualities should be the most important goal in life. Valjean’s transformation from a hate-filled and hardened criminal into a well-respected philanthropist epitomizes Hugo’s emphasis on love, for it is only by learning to love others that Valjean is able to improve himself. While Valjean’s efforts on behalf of others inevitably cause him problems, they also give him a sense of happiness and fulfillment that he has never before felt. Valjean’s love for others—in particular, for Cosette—is what keeps him going in desperate times.

*Social Injustice in Nineteenth-Century France

Hugo uses his novel to condemn the unjust class-based structure of nineteenth-century France, showing time and again that the society’s structure turns good, innocent people into beggars and criminals. Hugo focuses on three areas that particularly need reform: education, criminal justice, and the treatment of women

Symbolism:

Myriel’s Silver Candlesticks

M. Myriel’s candlesticks are the most prominent symbol of compassion inLes Misérables, and they shed a light that always brings love and hope. At the beginning of the novel, Hugo uses the contrast between light and darkness to underscore the differences between Myriel, an upstanding citizen, and Valjean, a dark, brooding figure seemingly incapable of love. When Myriel gives Valjean his silver candlesticks, Myriel is literally passing on this light as he tells Valjean he must promise to become an honest man. Subsequently, the candlesticks reappear frequently to remind Valjean of his duty. When Valjean dies, the candlesticks shine brightly across his face, a symbolic affirmation that he has attained his goal of love and compassion.

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 1. What does the title in relation to the film as a whole?

The title is very meaningful because it speaks about the society and and how people deal with the criminal justice, human rights and how rampant is prostitution then before. The title also touches my heart since it also involves romance, that I may also relate to my self, the love story of the characters changes their lives forever in the end of the story.

2. Among the characters, to whom you can relate to?

Fantine, since she is one of the major characters, she also showed the image of women of today, because    I know that every woman is special especially in society. back to 19th century, her character persuade the sufferings of many women in france during that  period and how they be able to work for their daily needs and the needs of their children as well. WOMEN SHOULD BE TREATED RIGHT!

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? why?

It is where Eponine was shot by one of the soldiers at the same time Marius held her hands and saying(singing) the words that she will always be apart of him, that he will never forget her and will always treasure their friendship together giving the letter of Cosette to Marius though Eponine was inlove with Marius she give ways and accept the fact that Cosette is her Love.

4. What is the movie's message?

Is to enlightened the minds of the people behind our government and to awaken the people to strive hard for justice and never leave behind the rights of human, respect each others opinion and start to live life fair by sharing small things to those who needed the most, give them the chance to be able to cope up with their differences and give them a helping hand to reach their dreams and grab the rope of hope in life.

5. Did I like this in general? why?

Of course no doubt :) since it is a classical kind of novel,and now a  movie, and I believe that great movies came from novels that written by famous authors and also this kind of movies  should  be watch in any age because it mirrors our society s situation facing in this time.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? why or why not?

Yes, I agree because I saw this movie and it made me cry :( because I showed how the characters gave their sacrifices up to the first scenes that they acted. The Theme of this film has a great impact to audiences because they can easily relate their selves in  the situation they had in life. 

7. What specifically did I like/dislike?why?

Like it much!, very memorable movie and gives moral lesson to me,especially when I get in a situation  alike with the characters "if"i would probably give everything that I can just to sacrifice important things.

8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? why?

The scene where soldiers attack and they are very helpless with the situation, It's kinda frustrating.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

The situation wherein society is involved, and hardest part when other people losses their hope for our beloved country and some are  trying hard to make it right, that is probably the problem with us, lack of unity between fellowmen,I think that is one of the reasons why many of us are still striving to achieve better life.

* I REALLY LOVE THE SONG I DREAM A DREAM BY LEA SALONGA :)