Title: LES MISERABLES

Genre: Epic, Historical Fiction, Musical

Characters: 

Jean Valjean 
-The ex-convict who had been imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread.

 -He is the primary protagonist of the story. 

Bishop Myriel

- the one who welcomes Jean eventhough he stole the silverwares from him. He also inspired Jean to change himself.

 Monsiegneur Bienvenu 

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

Cosette 
-The child of Fantine.

-The child being raised by Valjean. 

Javert 
-The inspector of police who’s lifelong ambition is to put Valjean back to prison. 

Marius 
-lover of Cosette 

M. Gillenormand 
-Grandfather of Marius 

Thenardier 
-an evil persona in the story which symbolizes negative forces. 

Fantine 
-Cosette’s mother, who is willing to sacrifice everything for her daughter.

M. Fauchelevant 
-the person whom Valjean rescues when a cart falls on him. And later helps provide a place of refuge for Valjean and Cosette. 

Eponine 
-Daughter to Thenardier. 

Enjolras 
-College student-primary leader of the insurrection. 

Gavroche 
-Son of Thenardier. 
Champmathieu
-the 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.

 

Plot:

Jean Valjean, based on the novel of Victor Hugo, and on the movie, was known as a prisoner because of stealing, released and granted parole, and as he creates a new life for himself, he still runs from the ruthless Inspector Javert during the June Rebellion. And meanwhile, the working class girl with a child turned out to be a prostitute to pay money to the innkeeper – his wife who looks after the prostitute’s child, Cosette. And later on, Cosette is indulged in a love triangle with Marius and Eponine.

Theme:

Love, Forgiveness, Self Sacrifice, and Courage

Love is evident in the story, so are Forgiveness, Self-sacrifice and Courage, for the prisoner is definitely motivated by love to do anything she cans to have a fresh start and to support her own family, she had gone out of her way for the comfort of her loved one, she sacrificed herself, she had the courage to do it and also the rest of the characters had shown their forgiving and courageous spirits.

Symbolism:

Insects- it portrays the life of cosette as a beetle. It shows that she can rise above miserable circumstances.

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

Candle Stick- it symbolizes hope, change, and honesty.

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

The title is apparently related to the film wholly because the title itself even speaks a summary of the whole story of the film, which is “Les Miserables”, for it definitely refers to a certain people living miserably during a very testing time.

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

If I am to relate myself among the characters, I think I can relate on Jean Valjean, not for reasons that she has become a prostitute and all, but because she’s willing to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of her loved ones, I’m not being boastful here, but I really do care so much for my family, and their happiness is way more important than mine.

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

The part of the presentation which struck me the most was that scene when the girl first sold herself for some profit for her daughter, that although she’d been very miserable about her situation, and that it was enormously hard for her, still she pursued it for she knows solely it would be a huge help for her loved ones.

4. What is the movie’s message?

If I am to relay the message of the movie, it would be that, we all humans have trying times, and all we have to do is be strong, strong enough to fight back and face uncontrollable circumstances in our lives, that no matter how ugly everything may have turned out to be, at the end of the day, there’s still hope for goodness.
 

5. Did I like this in general? Why?

If I am to refer to the story of the movie, yes, it’s very substantial and witty, but as a whole, as to how it was presented, compressed and made as a movie, no, because it was just way too tedious, with all the plain singing and songs, they have not certainly thought out of the box, as to how to put climax and hype to it.

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

Yes, I merely agree with the main theme, for it has somehow touched and moved me at some sort, although it kind of bored me, with all the singing and its theatrical nature.

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

Well, If I could be specific, I dislike the thorough singing of theatrical songs, for there should be somehow lines, and dialogues, for the movie not to be a total bore, and for the movie to sort of connect to its audience.

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

Yes, for some parts were very confusing, until the end, the reason why some aspects of the theme, especially at the end were left vague and confusing.

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

The film, in such a unique way, relate to the things happening in my life in such a way that certain extreme circumstances have literally shaken my life, and I was left with not much of a choice but to sacrifice and be selfless, and prioritize instead the happiness of my loved ones, and there are times when I am being more concerned with the disposition of the people I love than of my own, and in that way, thing happening in my life are able to relate to the film.