Title: Les Misrables
Genre: Historical Fiction
Characters:
*Jan Valjean/ Monsieur Madeleine - was the adopted father of Cosette. He was convicted for 19 years for stealing bread for a hungry child.
*Cosette - child of Fantine, was adopted by Jan Valjean. He was inlove with Marius.
*Fantine - the mother of Cosette, a factory worker who then later became a prostitute after the foreman of the factory send her away.
*Javert - a high guard in the prison where Jean Valjean was convicted. He still chases Jan because for him laws should be followed.
*Marius - he was the lover of Cosette. Eventhough he's a member of a prominent family, he chose to be an activist. He's the sole survivor of the barricade.
*Monsieur & Madame Thenardier - the couple whom Cosette lived with. They traet Cosette as their slave and they are stealing things from their guests.
*Eponine - daughter of the Thenardiers. She's was inlove with Marius, her friend. She died because she was fatally wounded for saving Marius.
Setting: In France during the 19th Century French Revolution
Plot: It is a story of an escaped convict named Jan Valjean whose life was transformed and turned toward goodness by an act of Christian charity. Eight years have past, Valjean has broken his parole and changed his name to Monsieur Madeleine, and he became the Mayor of a town and also a factory owner.
Fantine is one of his workers in the factory, she has a secret child. When the other worker discover it, they demand that she should be terminated in her job. She was then thrown away by the foreman. Desperate to pay medicines for her daughter, she sells her hair and her tooth, she even entered prostitution. She was then rescued by Monsieur Madeleine. Before she died, Monsieur Madeleine promised to her that he will find and and look after her daughter, Cosette.
Cosette lived with the Thenardiers who ran an inn, they treat him as a slave. Valjean finds Cosette fetching water in the dark. He pays the Thenardiers to let him take Cosette away and be with him in Paris.
Marius is a young man who leaves with his wealthy grandfather. He chose to live as a poor young law student and he associates with the group of radical students. When he saw Cosette, he fell in love with her, it is love at first sight. Eponine sadly bring him to Cosette and prevents an attempt by her father's gang to rob Valjean's house. Valjean thought that it was Javert lurking outside his house. He then told Cosette to prepare to flee the country. On the eve of the revolution, the students and Javert see the situation from their different view points; Cosette and Marius part in despair of ever meeting again; Eponine mourns the loss of Marius; and Valjean looks forward to the security of exile. The Thenardiers, meanwhile, dream of rich pickings underground from the chaos to come.
The students prepare to build the barricade. The barricade is built, and the revolutionaries defy an army warning that they must give up or die. As the revolt continues, all died except Marius because he was saved by Jan Valjean. Marius and Cosette married, but Jean wasn't there because he chose to be away from Cosette without telling her his true identity. At the wedding, the Thenardiers was there and they told Marius where Valjean was. The couple then look for him, and when they found him he was already weak and dying. Cosette learns for the first time of her own history before the old man dies. Happy to be reunited with his adopted daughter, Valjean dies in peace.
Theme: The movie is about people struggling over the need for justice, and the need for mercy and grace.
Symbolism: Silver candlesticks - symbol of compassion and they shed a light that brings love and hope.
1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?
The students prepare to build the barricade. The barricade is built, and the revolutionaries defy an army warning that they must give up or die. As the revolt continues, all died except Marius because he was saved by Jan Valjean. Marius and Cosette married, but Jean wasn't there because he chose to be away from Cosette without telling her his true identity. At the wedding, the Thenardiers was there and they told Marius where Valjean was. The couple then look for him, and when they found him he was already weak and dying. Cosette learns for the first time of her own history before the old man dies. Happy to be reunited with his adopted daughter, Valjean dies in peace.
Theme: The movie is about people struggling over the need for justice, and the need for mercy and grace.
Symbolism: Silver candlesticks - symbol of compassion and they shed a light that brings love and hope.
1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?
The title itself tells about the story of the people that are the miserable ones living miserable lives.
2. Among the characters, to whom can you relate to?
I can relate myself to Fantine. Because of her undying love for her daughter Cosette, she's willing to do everything just for her.
3. Which part of the presentation struck you most? Why?
The time when Fantine was into prostitution. I felt her suffering in the depths of my soul and wept along with her. In Fantine we see the suffering of every woman.
4. What is the movie's message?
Eventhough we may encounter lots of trials and sufferings, we should never give up for God is always with us. We just have to strengthen our faith in Him inorder for us to surpass all of those trials.
5. Did I like this in general? Why?
Yes, I like it. I even cried while watching it. We can learn lots of things from it.
6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or Why not?
Yes, it is the harsh reality of life. All of us will encounter different trials in life just like in the movie.
7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?
I like how the cast portray their roles, they pretty convincing.
8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?
None. every details was clearly shown.
9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?
In my everyday life, I have encountered different problems, problems that I thought can't be solved. But I still continue to pray and hope that everything will be fine, that's why I'm still in this world, i still exist.
2. Among the characters, to whom can you relate to?
I can relate myself to Fantine. Because of her undying love for her daughter Cosette, she's willing to do everything just for her.
3. Which part of the presentation struck you most? Why?
The time when Fantine was into prostitution. I felt her suffering in the depths of my soul and wept along with her. In Fantine we see the suffering of every woman.
4. What is the movie's message?
Eventhough we may encounter lots of trials and sufferings, we should never give up for God is always with us. We just have to strengthen our faith in Him inorder for us to surpass all of those trials.
5. Did I like this in general? Why?
Yes, I like it. I even cried while watching it. We can learn lots of things from it.
6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or Why not?
Yes, it is the harsh reality of life. All of us will encounter different trials in life just like in the movie.
7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?
I like how the cast portray their roles, they pretty convincing.
8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?
None. every details was clearly shown.
9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?
In my everyday life, I have encountered different problems, problems that I thought can't be solved. But I still continue to pray and hope that everything will be fine, that's why I'm still in this world, i still exist.
