The Miserables
introduction
“Starting over is not so bad.” The past no longer matters what the present matters and how you are going to create your future. This speaks in part to how the life of the main character in Les Miserables happened during the 19th century French Revolution in France. At that time, it is very important whether you belong to the poor and the rich. With that, poor people become discriminated against. Jean Valjean is one of the people despised because he is publicly known as a criminal, who was sentenced to 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s family in need but was able to rebuild his life. But first, do you know why it was titled Les miserables? So what is the meaning of les miserable? It simply means ‘the wretches’ and was titled the wretches because it focuses on Jean’s struggles throughout her life. This review will allow readers to learn how Jean Valjean rebuilt his life, how a person can change and give meaning to his life.
II. Summary
The story began when Jean Valjean was released from prison after serving 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread. When Jean lands in the city of Digne, no one is willing to share him or give him shelter because he was known as a criminal and ex-convict. Desperate, Valjean tries to seek help from M. Myriel, the generous Bishop of Digne, treats Valjean kindly, but Valjean pays Myriel by stealing his silverware. When the police arrest Valjean, Myriel protects him and says that the silverware was a gift to Valjean. Afterwards, Myriel makes him promise that he will become an honest man. Eager to keep his promise, Valjean kept his true identity and made his way to the city of Montreuil-sur-mer. Using the name Madeleine, Valjean creates an ingenious manufacturing process that brings wealth to the city. Then he becomes mayor of the city. Unexpectedly, Valjean meets Fantine, who has an illegitimate daughter named Cosette. In Montreuil, Fantine works in a factory. In her town, you can’t find a job if you have an illegitimate child, so she left Cosette with the Thernardiers and sends them a monthly allowance. Unfortunately, Fantine’s co-workers found out about Cosette, Fantine is fired. He resorts to prostitution to support Cosette. One night, Javert, the town’s chief of police, arrests Fantine. He was about to send her to prison, but Madeleine interferes. Fantine gets sick and wants to see her daughter, Madeleine promises to send her son. However, Javert discovers Madeleine’s criminal record. Madeleine confesses her true identity. Javert appears to arrest Valjean while Fantine, who is by the bedside, dies of shock.
After a few years, Valjean escapes from prison and heads to Montfermeil. Buy Cosette from the Thernadiers. Valjean treats Cosette like his own daughter. Later, Cosette and Jean Valjean found a quiet life in the convent, but they left and lived in Paris. One day, Marius, M. Gillenormand’s grandson leaves home because he is angry at his grandfather for hiding his father’s democratic politics and living like a poor law student, he sees Cosette in a public park. It’s love at first sight, but Valjean does everything he can to prevent Cosette and Marius from meeting. Suddenly their paths cross once more; However, when Valjean helps Marius’s poor neighbors, the Jondrettes, who are the Thenardiers, plan to rob Valjean and announce it after Valjean leaves. Finally, Marius warns Police Inspector Javert about Thenardier’s plan. The Thernadiers are arrested and Valjean escapes before Javert can identify him.
Eponine, who is in love with Marius, helps Marius discover Cosette’s whereabouts. The two show their love for each other. However, Valjean and Cosette move to England. Marius is heartbroken that time and decides to join the fight for the political uprising. When the army launches its first wave, Eponine sets out to save Marius’s life. Before dying, he hands over the letter that Cosette gave to Marius. Marius quickly gives an answer and Gavroche hands it to Cosette. Valjean intercepts the letter and sets out to save the life of the man his daughter loves. When Valjean lands on the barricade, he executes Javert and secretly frees him. Javert is torn between his duty to his profession and his commitment to Valjean to save his life. In the end, Javert drowns in the river. Valjean grabs the dying Marius and takes him to his grandfather. Valjean saved Marius’s life, but Marius doesn’t know who is protecting him. When Marius recovered, he pursued Cosette to get married. In the event, Marius discovers from Thenardier that Valjean saved his life. Finally, they rush to Valjean just in time for a final reconciliation. Valjean is happy to be reunited with his adopted daughter and died peacefully.
III. Marxist
The critical approach of Marxist critique is implicit in Les Miserables. The story happened during the French Revolution affecting and influencing Victor Hugo, the author. Hugo wrote the story based on his experience, not his imagination. Les Miserables happened in a society where the poor are criminalized and the rich roam free, free from police dogs and arrested like Police Chief Javert. The issue of poverty exposes the suffrage that includes all the people, but plunges the lowest into misery and immorality. Jean Valjean represents the poor who triumph in the name of all the struggles he suffered in his life, that is why Fantine is the poor man who did not achieve success. There is also discrimination between economic classes due to abuse of power by the government. Like when Fantine was falsely arrested for fighting back to protect herself from a bourgeois who made fun of her because she was a prostitute. In short, Marxism does exist in that era, where the poor are treated as an inferior people and the rich as superior.
IV. Conclution
Les Miserables is one of the essential films. It served as a revelation for all the people who are afraid to stand up for their rights and deal with new things for a change. The film deserves a lot of participation, in terms of the flow of events because it was well organized and well understood by us, the viewers. The facial expressions, emotions and movements of the characters are realistic. Overall, the idea for the movie was great and shows how the French Revolution happened. “A progress from evil to good”, which means that change is possible and you can choose the best or the right path, a lesson learned from Les Miserables.
