Reminder:
Alphabetical names per pair.
3-4 paragraphs, 3-4 sentences each. Clear and direct sentences.
Only one idea that you will dicuss. Proofs (quotes from songs) may span several songs.
Proofs must mention the singer and song title: e.g. As sung by Cossette in A Heart Full of Love).
Rubrics:
Sample Essay:
Castillo, Ronald
Political and social concept of the human condition of love as sacrifice.
Political and social concept of the human condition of the need to belong.
Every character in the novel/musicale are examples of being ‘Les Miserables’, the miserable or as mentioned in Do You Hear the People Sing – wretched. As we watched the concert, I remember the words in philosophy: ‘the human condition’, and one particular condition that caught my attention was that of Eponine. She loved and was loved in return only at the very last moment of life.
It was Aristotle who claimed human are political animals. And this is so because people are social, and they need to properly interact with other people to survive. In this respect, I also claim that every human being has the need to belong. What perpetuates the ‘wretchedness’ of the community is that most people are too busy, care only for themselves, some do not really care while some are blind to the plight of others.
This human condition is symbolized by Eponine as she walked the streets of Paris singing On My Own. The beginning of the song succinctly describes: “And now I’m all alone again… without a home, without a friend, without a face to say hello to.” The song continues to narrate her unrequited love for Marius, but it also shows how a person can be all alone in a well-populated city. And every individual faces personal problems that other people actually help alleviate if only they knew.
The same song also mentions the duality of hope (“and all though, I know that he is blind, still I say there’s a way for us”) and hopelessness (“without me, his world will go on turning”). People live in the polis – a community – and yet people are not communitarian. Eponine’s personal situation is a fiction of the novel, but the essence of the need to belong is a real condition of humanity. The feeling of not belonging brings about dejection which can further weaken society.
Ituriaga, Mika Jeza S. and Medina, Caryl Louise L.
ReplyDeleteThe sociopolitical condition of an undefeated class-based society
In Les Miserables, a classification between the two classes of people has been distinct; whether it is Javert or Valjean, Fantine or her customer, and the weak or the strong. It was never the pretty and the ugly but rather class-based as it is today. It presented issues regarding the dominion of the elite (elitism) and how every character was affected through biases in societal treatments as in Karl Marx’s idea of the bourgeoisie society.
The idea was shown in the lyrics “Look Down! You’ll always be a slave…you’re standing in your grave,” whereas the direction signifies the position of these people in a class struggle belonging on the bottom part (or down) with the least distribution of power and wealth. The lyrics signify being slaves of the unjust class-based structure and not only as slaves of the law; it does not pertain per se in the suffering of literal prisoners, but is actually a symbol of people locked up inside the social ‘triangle’ or prisoners of elitism, not being able to move and is trapped on the same grave. The struggle of the masses were also presented in the song 'At the End of the Day' and Valjean’s 'What Have I Done' where he sung “my life was a war that could never be won,” being a person trapped in the lowest part of the triangle.
The mistreatments and discriminations in the society were also made very clear in the different meetings of Javert and Jean Valjean. Whereas, Javert symbolizes the society and Valjean is the ‘plead for social progress’ himself as he represents the poor. The society [as presented by Javert] pushes down the marginalized [Valjean] even more, no matter what progresses he went into, pertaining in ‘The Confrontation’ that “a man like you can never change, a man such as you.” The unjust class-based structure in the society favors either the masses or the elite, as in 'Javert’s suicide', “There is nothing on Earth we share. It is either Valjean or Javert.”
On the other hand, the mistreatment of the lower class in the society is accompanied by an unjust system of law enforcement to the impoverished. This is critical in the case of Jean Valjean, being trapped as a slave of the law and given a parole of ‘shame on you’ that separates him from others; as in the scene wherein he was given half of the others were paid. In the scenario of Fantine and her customer, the side of the inferior was never heard, Javert, singing “who laid hands on this good man here?” pertaining to the wealthy as the ‘good man.’ Fantine was arrested and the man’s report was favored—a due process was never given, the same as how it is today.
Lucasan, Meryl Abigail A.
ReplyDeleteThe social and political concept of the absence of mercy and compassion to the poor
From the several disciplines which are shown in Les Miserables, the social and political concept is prominent and significant. One of which is the absence of mercy and compassion to the poor. This was emphasized after the death of General Lamarque, the only man in the government who shows mercy to the poor.
The social and political concept of Les Miserables can be interpreted in relation to Karl Marx’s “The Communist Manifesto”. Karl Marx’s “The Communist Manifesto” has a strong focus on class conflict or class struggle. Class conflict can take many different forms: direct violence, such as wars fought for cheap labor and poverty or death due to poverty, starvation, and illness.
The upper class (government and rich) shows no mercy to the lower class (poor, including the revolutionary students) which creates conflict between the two classes. In the song “Look Down,” the people were told by the poor to “Look down, and see the beggars at your feet/ Look down and show some mercy if you can/ Look down and see/ The sweepings of the streets/ Look down, look down/ Upon your fellow man!” The lyrics describe the real situation and condition of the poor, whereby no mercy is being shown to them.
The song entitled “Do You Hear the People Sing?” Enjolras states at the beginning that: “Do you hear the people sing?/ Singing the song of angry men?/ It is the music of a people/ Who will not be slaves again!/ When the beating of your heart/ Echoes the beating of the drums/ There is a life about to start/ When tomorrow comes!” This shows that the poor are telling the upper class of their way of life and struggle. In another song entitled “One Day More,” the students sing “One day to a new beginning/ Raise the flag of freedom high!/ Every man will be a king” reflect their hope and dream that one day their lives will be better.
Cruz, Francis Renzel A. and Mariano, Carlos Paul A.
ReplyDelete2POL2
“At the End of the Day”
The song had social, political, economic, and ethical interdisciplinary topics. In the song, the workers were complaining how at the end of each day, they are not any richer, not any good, or not any high up from where they stand in the social pyramid. And if it was anything, they’d be less than what they were originally each day. The song also showed how the workers were slowly degraded by the hardships of life and how each day drew them closer to death. These were all show in the 1st and the 2nd stanzas of the song.
The son also portrayed the workers feeling about each other. This was shown in the 6th stanza of the song, when the foreman was trying to seduce and give Fantine special treatments for he wanted to have his way with Fantine. The workers were talking about Fantine and the foreman and how they hated how the foreman liked Fantine. They were acting how politicians acted in society, by bringing down anyone who gets ahead of them.
The concert gave us the idea of where people stand in the social pyramid and how no matter how just or right a society’s laws are they always stay there because in truth, society isn’t controlled by the laws and other standards that are in effect. But they are controlled by those who are high up in the social pyramid.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLoreno, Andrea Nicole C. and Navarro, Lou Antonelle D.
ReplyDeleteLes Miserablés provided a comprehensive picture of what the nineteenth century politics and society looked like. It showed several socio-political issues on different parts of the concert. With much of its emphasis on the unjust treatment between social classes, the oppression of women and the over punishment of criminals, treated inhumanely. Every song composed and sung in its 10th anniversary concert has its significance and “Look Down” is one of the songs which captured the hardships felt by the poor and oppressed.
This song, with its lyrics such as “Look Down, and show some mercy if you can. Look down, look down, upon your fellow man…” has portrayed what the people in the slums feel about the higher class in society and the unequal rights and privileges they receive. The song continues with an exchange of words by a beggar and a prostitute fighting over a patch. The lines that touch the political issue in this song are: “Where are the leaders of the land? Where are the swells who run this show?”, which was asked by Enjolras in the middle of the chaos he saw. It was a way of questioning the political structure of France and its unjust system.
The term “look down” as sung in the concert, meant to appeal to the authorities, for them to see the current state of the poor. They kept on waiting for social change, for their miseries to end (“Where it’s gonna end? When we gonna live?”), but still, only Lamarque speaks for them. The song has shown the conflict between the upper and lower classes of a society, as the latter tries to get the sympathy of the former. But the authorities remain apathetic to them and no one but themselves must act to see the change they want.
Lim, Romeo A. and Naval, Andre V.
ReplyDeleteLes Miserables is a story about different people who are victims of unjust class-based France during the 19th Century. Political, economic, and social issues are shown through songs performed in the concert. The song “Look down” depicts how Jean Valjean was victimized by social injustice after stealing a loaf of bread for his sister’s daughter. Politically, this shows that law enforcement during that time was strictly followed against the beggars or the less fortunate ones. Since they cannot defend themselves, they have always been the victim of the harsh enforcement of laws. The song “Do You Hear the People Sing” showed how thirsty these men are for their freedom. Patriotism was shown by the people in this song. This song was sung with heartfelt anger depicting how weary they are of the unjust society, and conviction that they want a new France where they can live their lives at liberty.
In the song of Fantine’s arrest, we can clearly see the social injustice of class bias. The lower class in which Fantine belongs to was unjustly treated by the law. Javert’s tone and choice of words in his song “I have heard such protestations every day for twenty years let’s have no more explanations”, it seemed like he had already passed judgement, assuming that Fantine is already guilty. Prior to that part was “She will answer for her actions when you make a full report you may rest assured, M’sieur” which shows how the upper class is favored as they are more believable, and protected by the law than the lower class. Fantine also sang of the hardship of being in the lower class and how she lost her pride because of poverty.
Lastly, the song Master of the House, is very social and political in nature. The song is sung by an inn keeper claiming to be fair and just but as he sings “when it comes to fixing prices there are a lot of tricks I know, how it all increases, all them bits and pieces” you notice he charges more than he should. This is unjust because he swindles tricks and cons people. This could also be economical because of the charges he puts on people. Political issue was greatly stressed in this song because he is the landlord, a figure that is supposed to be ideal and just, but instead he advances his own personal gain.
Manalang, Ariane Sisley
ReplyDeleteManalastas, Claudette Irene
One of the most intriguing topics laid bare by Les Miserables is touching on women. Psychological, social and political problems in relation to women are presented. Voices of impoverished ladies are well heard in this work of art. The role that a woman played at that time is clearly seen.
Under the lens of the psychological discipline, one can spot the problem on how men used and degraded women. In turn, women developed corrupted minds, thinking and accepting that their role in the society was to be whores that only give pleasure to men. This is vulgarly revealed in the song sung by the prostitutes, Lovely Ladies: "Lovely ladies/ Ready for the call/ Standing up or lying down/ Or any way at all/ Bargain prices up against the wall." Out of poverty, women started selling their belongings, their hair, and even their teeth, until they were ready to prostitute themselves.
In the social and health aspects, it is apparent that another dilemma arose from prostitution. The song of the poor people, Look Down, shows not only how people "lived on crumbs" but also how sexually transmitted diseases, like "the clap" or gonorrhea, were a major problem in the society. In that song, an old beggar says, "I know what you give! Give 'em all the pox." In reply, a man says, "Leave the poor old cow… She used to be no better till the clap got to her brain."
Politically, women had remained wrong and worthless in the eyes of the people and of the law. Law enforcers like Javert, never listened to women like Fantine. In the song Fantine's Arrest, Javert had only listened to the accusation of Bamatabois that Fantine had attacked him. When Fantine tried to explain, Javert immediately said: "I have heard such protestations everyday for twenty years. Lets have no more explanations. Save your breath and save your tears."
Lavarias, Regina Purita and Luis, Alanis Moira
ReplyDeleteNot a rest for the wicked: The social, ethical, and political problems of having a class-based society
Mr. and Mrs. Thenardier earn money for a living by running an inn by themselves. They wanted their children to be well-off by dressing them with nice clothes and giving them all the toys they want. One of the most well-known songs from the concert, Les Miserables, is the Master of the House which was performed by these two casts. Master of the House introduced the various faces of Thernardiers as they welcome their customers as well as how they operate their inn.
This song portrays social, political and ethical interdisciplinary topics. Social because it describes how the Thenardier family interacts with their customers in which they tend to form interdependent connections with them in order to catch the attention of the customers while they use tricks to steal money from them. Second is political in a way that it portrays how unlikely it can get when having a hierarchical structure in a society wherein only a part of it tends to dominate a larger whole. Another one is ethical because they do not give what is due to their customers.
The light-hearted, ridiculous (charge ‘em for the lice, extra for the mice, two percent for looking in the mirror twice), sometimes arrogant feel (when it comes to fixing prices, there are lots of tricks I know) of Master of the House serve primarily as comic relief in the musical and this humorous tone is mirrored in Beggars at the Feast (Paris at my feet, Paris in the dust and here’s me breaking bread with the upper crust). These two songs, sharing the same melodies, establish the Thenardiers’ crookedness and their propensity for cheating, taking advantage of people to further their own interests. This crooked nature, though, takes a darker turn in Dog Eats Dog, where Thenardier looks towards making some money off the dead at the barricades, pilfering their valuables and showing the lengths that they’re willing to go to in the name of making a profit (here’s another toy, take it off the boy, his heart’s no longer going [...] but his watch is ticking yet).
Despite the overarching theme of Les Miserables being a transformation from bad to good and how love can redeem a person, the musical touches on the unchanging lawless subculture of society through the Thenardiers. The Thenardier couple represent the idea that there will always be people in this world who live to take advantage of other people, who could care less about other people as long as they benefit. It’s ironic that despite being such terrible people, they are two of the four people who survive at the end of the play. This may reflect that in life, the villains, the bad people don’t always get their comeuppance and often walk away without suffering consequences for their actions (masters of the land, always get out share, clear away the barricades and we’re still there).
Lee, Zarina Christine G. and Manzano, Bryan George M.
ReplyDeleteChange: A Personal and Socio-Political Concept
Change is one of the hardest yet most exciting parts of life. Hard, not only because one has to get out of his comfort zone and is uncertain of what will happen next, but also because change itself is difficult to accomplish. But at the same time it is exciting because you will be able to try new things, and experience what life can offer you. If some are afraid of changes, well never the characters of Les Miserbales and almost all of them clamoured and desired for change, and it even kept everybody alive, even when they were dying because that single strand of hope helped them to see the light despite the problems surrounding them.
In the first scenes alone, one could see how Jean Valjean, the protagonist, hoped for changes to happen after getting his parole. In fact, in the song “What have I done,” he sang: “I'll escape now from that world, from the world of Jean Valjean, Jean Valjean is nothing now, another story must begin!” Psychologically speaking, he is at the stage of preparation and at this point, he is beginning to make little changes in preparation for a larger life change, and soon enough he will begin taking actions in order to accomplish his objectives. Personal change will only begin if the person is committed or willing to undergo the intense process.
Looking at the living conditions of the people in France, they were economically and socially devastated and it was obvious in different songs like in “At the End of The Day,” where the poor people sang “At the end of the day you're another day older.. At the end of the day you're another day colder.. One day nearer to dying!.. And there's gonna be hell to pay, at the end of the day!” and these lyrics made it clear that the situation was getting worse for the people as each day goes by and they were slowly losing hope. But not Enjolras and the other participants of the revolution, in fact in the song “Do you hear the people sing,” when they sang “There is a life about to start, when tomorrow comes,” it was evident that hope flowed through their veins and they want a revolution to alter the social order of their society. This revolution or may possibly change the nature of institutions, behaviours, and even relations. Politics is also quite obvious in this movie, in fact, in Courfeyrac’s part in the same song: “Then join in the fight, that will give you the right to be free,” they are trying to fortify their place in society by trying to pressure those who are in authority, which is one of the cores of politics.
Les Miserables definitely thought us and made us realize a lot of realities about life but one stood out and stuck into our minds. The reality of change, it is inevitable, it is constant. There are times when you have to follow the changes happening around you and adapt to the, but there are times when you have to step up and lead the change of life according to your will. If you want the odds to be ever in your favour, be the catalyst, be the changer, be the change.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMAGNO, Ma. Traceza Nicole G.
ReplyDeleteMATIAS, Donna Mae R.
The Psychological Influence of the Erroneous Sociopolitical Setting of the 17th Century
Javert’s excessive perseverance to catch Valjean may be considered as a psychological issue rooted on the erroneous social and political conventions at the time. Such conventions were illustrated in the partial treatment of the authorities of Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for five years for merely stealing a loaf of bread, and Fantine, who was persecuted and dismissed from her job due to being a single mother. Javert’s hatred towards Valjean is first realized when he singled out Valjean to retrieve the flag during the first scene. Javert then emphasizes the boundary between himself, a lawful man, and Valjean, a thief, as he sang “And I’m Javert, do not forget my name. Do not forget me, 24601.”
To make things worse, Jean Valjean broke his parole and Javert’s anger turned into a furious obsession when he mentions that he has hunted Valjean across the years; Javert’s anger towards Valjean and all the criminals is then stressed all throughout his songs. Javert’s wrath for criminals is explained during ‘The Confrontation’ when Javert mentions that he was born inside a jail. His furious tone and the fact that he addresses people who have violated the law as scum proves that Javert’s promulgation of the law is tainted with his own biases formed through his bitter childhood. However, as he sang ‘Stars’, it is evident that, like the stars which provide light and guidance, he believes that he was merely fulfilling his duty through his pursuit of Valjean.
However, Javert’s sense of duty is shattered when Valjean spares his life. Javert has dedicated his life to the law and so the very foundation of his existence is broken as he sang “the world I have known is lost in shadow”. His reasoning, narrowed by his dubious perception of the law, cannot accommodate the fact that a criminal saved his life. “And my thoughts fly apart, can this man be believed?” Javert was torn apart by the gratitude he holds and his sense of duty. But in the end, he chooses neither.
One would know that, if it was merely duty driving Javert to chase after Valjean, the right thing to do would be either to carry on and hope to catch the parolee or simply end the chase and move on to catching other criminals. But instead he chooses to commit an unnecessary act – suicide (“There is nowhere I can turn. There is no way to go on.”). This act becomes the last proof of the depth of Javert’s obsession of catching Valjean resulting from misconceptions cultivated by that period’s questionable justice system.
Amaro, Beya Marie and Regacho, Maria Isabelle
ReplyDeleteLes Miserables : The economic and political struggle
We have chosen the song “Look Down”. The song signifies both the economic and political problem during those times. The song is mainly sung by the people outside the high society, the poor. The song represents the poor and the slaves of France. These poor people are begging for their leaders to understand their needs and help them, the people are crying out to their leaders to represent them.
Another song that support our statement is “Do you hear the people sing”. It showed how the people are angry and how they stood up for themselves through these lines: “Do you hear the people sing? Singing the song of angry men. It is the music of the people who will not be slaves again!”. The people started going against their government when the only official, General Lamarque, who represent them died. People are afraid to be slaves and to be unrepresented, they want their voices to be heard. Being a slave and unrepresented is a common dilemma in a country. It is a result from lack of communication and misunderstanding from the government and the people.
Unrepresented, is one of the political problems in the movie “Les Miserable”. The less fortunate are unrepresented that is why they are revolting against their government with the help of the students who understands their needs and helped them to stand for their rights. Inequality is also one of the problems present in the movie. This line: “Look down, and see the beggars at your feet” came from the song “Look Down”, it shows how big is the gap between the slaves and the fortunate people. These problems are just the few from the many problems that exist in the film/novel.
Luna, John Ralf and Miguel, Juan Inigo
ReplyDeleteOne Day More: The Different faces of Revolutions
What makes it more political is that, it pictures the state of the people be it on a daily basis or when a big political movement is happening. Several people can be empathizing with the government, or against it. There are also people who is contented to watch afar, waiting for the results and does not concern themselves with what is happening.
The tones used in this song can be divided into 3. Namely the schoolboys’, Javert’s and the Thenardiers’. Javert’s tone is serious, Meaning it is of the authority who is against the revolution. It is the same for the schoolboys who sang with conviction and is true to their words. But on the other hand, the Thenardier’s tone is that of a mocking one, they represent people who usually don’t care about the outcome of several political phenomena.
The line “Every man will be a king” says that everyone has the right to have a voice and participate in a political phenomena. Thus everyone in the cast has a voice that will be heard during the upcoming revolution.
Follosco, Kimberly and Mondido, Atheena Mae
ReplyDeleteThe concert Les Miserables depicted the situation of the society before and during the French Revolution. It shows how men, especially the middle –class, struggled during those dark days and how they manage to fight against those who keep on oppressing the lower class people. There were significant parts in the concert where people within the society try to survive by the fall of the others, which may be seen as crab mentality; it is just an example of social issues that can be found in the said performance.
At the End of the Day is a song that really pictured the position of each man in the society. It is a social topic that shows people often judge others by their small mistakes and does not help each other in other to live a more comfortable life. “If Fantine doesn’t look out watch how she goes she’ll be out on the street.” this line shows that the workers in the factory don’t care if Fantine’s rights were violated nor if she and her daughter will starve to death.
The social issue that was presented in the song At the End of the Day is an issue that should be recognized within the society in order to have a harmonized system. The mockery of one’s mistake cannot help the people to have to establish such system, only jealous and envy shall prevail. People within a society should help each other to reach for their each goals, and not to pull someone else’s feet.
Macaraeg, Lovely Mae T. and Magalong Bolivia B.
ReplyDelete“Who am I?” is Jean Valjean’s soliloquy where he, as the title entails, questions his identity. He began to asked it to himself when an innocent man was captured and was mistaken to be him. In this song, Valjean is torn between concealing his name and ensuring the sanctity his soul. The interdisciplinary action portrayed here was an ethical approach.
In the chosen song, ethics was portrayed in the part where he was choosing what to do. Valjean is trying to think of what would be the best answer to his dilemma. If he is going to take the man as his “chance” to be safe from being caught by Javert, he will be able to take his responsibility as a “master of thousands of workers” and a Mayor, but the man, who was mistaken to be him, will be condemn to slavery and will be send to hell that he have been before. Another choice that he has is to reveal himself and save a man’s soul from agony.
Upon realizing and saying, “My soul belongs to God, I know I made the bargain long ago” his promise to God influences his decision to do what is moral by revealing his name. He understands that it is not the number of good consequences that will tell him what the right thing to do is. Instead he looks at himself and asked “who am I” and “who do I want to become.” He thoroughly thought of what is the rightest thing to do and that is to save the man’s life from agony.
The idea of faith is the most eminent in the concert. Remembering what the Lord gave him “He gave me hope when hope is gone, He gave me strength to journey on” pushes him to confess and do the right thing. Lastly is the trust that Jean Valjean showed when he sang "in my need you have always been there" in Bring Him home. The prayer he offered for Marius for him to be home with Cosette.
Ozawa, Hennesy D. and Tacbobo, Ma. Vina P.
ReplyDeleteTorment of the Nation: A Closer Look to the Political and Social Aspect in France
In Les Miserables, there are numerous aspects to reflect on be it political, social, economic, ethical and/or the combination of these interdisciplinary topics. To begin with, in the political aspect the ones which prevailed the most were evident in the song “The Confrontation” in the specific lines of “All I did was steal some bread” and in the song entitled “Look Down” with the specific lines of “I know the meaning of those 19 years, a slave of law” which were sung by Jean Valjean. These showed the unjust legal system in France wherein simple criminal who stole a loaf of bread for his sister’s child who was close to death, was turned into a criminal of a lifetime (having a grave criminal cases) or those light cases ( not serious/ not offensive) were turned into grave cases or serious cases. Moreover, it also portrayed how unfair the legal system was to punish gravely those who commit petty crimes compared to those who commit worst or more serious crimes.
Another would be in social aspect which showed the social hypocrisy/ social injustices specifically in the treatment of the women in France and this is best portrayed in the scene where Fantine was sent away from the factory by the Foreman just because she’s no longer a virgin, and this was also evident in the song “At the End of the Day” specifically sung by the Foreman –in his lines “I might have known the bitch could bite, I might have known the cats had claws, I might have guessed your little secret, Ah yes the virtuous Fantine, Who keeps herself so pure and clean, You’d be the cause I had no doubt , Of any trouble hereabout, You play a virgin the light, But need no urgin in the night” –this only showed the discrimination of women, that they are only accepted if they are pure and clean, but once their virginity and secrets are revealed the treatment would be change, they will be considered as a total disgrace in the society and if they are working they will be automatically fired which is evident in the concert. Another best example is evident in the song “The Confrontation” where Javert criticizes Jean Valjean in his line “Men like you can never change” which means that a bread thief can no longer be good , cannot change at all or in other words ONCE A THIEF, ALWAYS A THIEF. But contrary to these, one very good example of “acceptance” is in the scene where the bishop willingly accepted Jean Valjean in his home even without knowing if Jean Valjean has criminal records or not. Likewise, it is best shown when Jean Valjean stole the Bishop’s silverware and despite of this, the Bishop remained good and served as a symbol of hope for those people who think they can never change at all.
The idea or thought that we gain from Les Miserables are the degradation of man in the society which is portrayed by Jean Valjean, the social injustices that women receives which is portrayed by Fantine but despite of all the accusations that she encountered, Fantine remained a symbol of an empowered woman and the affected ones by the darkness of the past which is portrayed by Cosette. It shows the face of unjust legal system, injustices and treatment of women in a society. It represents the unjust class-based structure of France wherein innocent people are turned into beggars and criminals because of the dictated law of Javert.
Lopez, Benedict S.
ReplyDeleteMacedonio, Marl Dale
Prostitution and its social and psychological aspects.
Les Miserable had many songs that described the 19th Century France specifically during the nation's revolution period. For this activity, we will discuss about the sociological and psychological aspects of the song “Lovely Ladies”
Let us discuss first the sociological aspect. Basically, the song is about and describes the social status of the prostitutes in France during the country’s revolution period in 1800s. From the song, we learned that society has a low view on the prostitutes and that see them as some sort of “rotten trash”. The prostitutes even acknowledge this view themselves and we can refer to the following lyrics which was said by these ladies from the song to prove this: “Come on dearie, why all the fuss? You’re no grander than the rest of us”. That certain line refers to the whores or prostitutes why Fanthine is still being hesitant when she is not even that of higher being than them. This indicate that the prostitutes themselves things that they are really of a lowly being and that Fanthine is just as low as them.
The song also has a psychological aspect in the sense that it showed the nature of a mother, a mother that would do anything for her child not to experience pain and have a bright future. It showed the natural instinct that a mother experience, that she would give anything or sacrifice just for the sake of her child to live another day. The lyrics that showed this nature of a mother is when the Crone is trying to persuade Fantine to sell her hair for 10 Francs into which Fantine replied, “what can she do if it pays a debt, 10 Francs may save my poor Cosette”. This indicated that she took the bargain just so she can have money to take care of her daughter, Cosette.
Belgica, Jhee Ann L.
ReplyDeleteMendoza, Samantha Mae M.
Les Miserables: The Sociological, Political and Psychological Death of Innocence
In Les Miserables, the death of the connotation of innocence is striking overall the musical, for as people started to feel the implications of rebellion and poverty downing on them, chaos and loss of innocence on the part of the children become part their lives. For example, Gavroche—an 11 or 12 year old kid—talks about poverty, of living in “crumbs of humble piety” and “high society”; something that shouldn’t be heard from a child like him. The song “Look Down”, where the aforementioned quote from Gavroche are taken from, talk about poverty and desperate measures: of asking “When's it gonna end? When we gonna live? Something's gotta happen now or something's gonna give, it’ll come, it’ll come.” which explains the desperation in their situation. This is the social death of innocence.
The vulgarity of the lyrics and the quickness and slowness of the songs represent the psychological death of innocence in France at that time. In “Lovely Ladies”, for example, the graphic content of the song (Lovely ladies, waiting in the dark / Ready for a thick one/ Or a quick one in the park), and the quickness and sultriness of how it was delivered represents the desperation of the people. But the person who much represents this death is Fantine; in her part in “Lovely Ladies” she was very hesitant at first in giving in herself but in the end she had no choice: she was a “girl who can’t refuse”, and she already regards herself as dead (“don’t they know they’re making love to one already dead?”) .
The political death of innocence comes, ironically, at the start of the rebellion: the death of Gavroche, the death of Eponine, and the death of the people who came to rebel against the lawfully evil government that was leading them. The death of Gavroche, with his parting words and trademark conviction on the “Second Attack”, just as he was being shot (So never kick a dog / Because he's just a pup) represents how he trusts the rebellion so much—his death represents the ultimate death of the innocent and the innocence that has been at this point slowly been torn. With this, the attack commences and with it comes the death of order, the death of the political hierarchy to something that can become equal for all.
These examples represent the sociological, political and psychological deaths in Les Miserables. The songs “Look Down”, “Lovely Ladies”, and “Second Attack” all represent the deaths of something important in 17th century France: its innocence. The supposed to be stillness and quietness turned into something that made the streets red and the sky black. The innocence of the world, for the survivors, will never be the same again, when the sky turns blue and the streets turn gold.
Galicia, Jane Irish B.
ReplyDeleteMascareñas, Judenn L.
Fantasy Versus Reality: Socio-political concept of economic injustice
In the movie Les Miserables, translated in English as “The Miserable Ones”, every character seems to look for or fantasize the perfect world to live in. Everyone seems to drift away from reality to their perspective fantasy worlds, wherein there is no oppression and exploitation.
The main form of exploitation and oppression in the novel is that of economics, as it portrays characters mistreated, made as slaves and forced into terrible positions by poverty as stated in the song “At The End Of The Day” “Keep on working as long as you’re able, keep on working until you drop.” Also, this song portrays that everyone is forced to work because they fend for their families at home, and the workers wishing they would one be stopped treated as animals and be given their fair share.
One of the characters that really fantasized of having another place or world to live in was Fantine, as she sang her song “I Dreamed A Dream” and it is stated in the last part of the song “I had a dream my life would be so different from this hell I’m living. So different now from what it seemed.” She was oppressed by the society because she was a prostitute, who sells her body for a living. It is also the society who put her there since she was oppressed from work when they found out she had a child. The police and customers looked down on Fantine.
The problem within the musical is that oppressed people are afraid to make a move on their own. They are scared, and they only care for themselves (they care less about lifting the other oppressed people up) and some even lost hope. The people in the fiction are not civic-minded, and are selfish. There is less connection within the majority (oppressed) so it makes them feel alone to face their own battles when in fact, if they are dreaming a society with no problems, they should strive for it. This is also evident in the society we are living in now, some people are apathetic about the needs of others, and some choose to stay blind, which will make the oppressors feel even more powerful.
Leary, Chulamari P.
ReplyDeleteLintag, Geraldine A.
One of the most obvious theme presented in Les Miserables is none other than oppression. Even at the start of the novel oppression was already emphasize, the scene with Jean Valjean and Javert where it was revealed that Valjean was imprisoned by stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family.
Technically, speaking oppression is both economic and political. The very source of oppression are abusive politicians that causes inequalities between the masses and the elites. To the economical significance of oppression in the song "At the end of the Day" the poor people sang "At the end of the day you're another day older, and that's all you can say for the life of the poor.It's a struggle, it's a war, and there's nothing that anyone's giving." The women that works in a factory and the poor people in the streets, sing about how they work so hard every day just to be able to feed their children back at home but at the end of the day, their money is still not enough and the poor people says that at the end of the day, their lifestyle will always be in that way. The workers sing about how they’re unhappy with work but at the end of the day they are still lucky to have a job. When it was the beggars turn to sing look down the line "Look down, and see the beggars at your feet, look down and show some mercy if you can." Showed the inequality between the elites and masses thus, the political side of the story.
What really sparked the revolution is the feeling of oppression, when the people realized that they are oppressed they will start to fight back, just like what Marius, Enjolras and their friends did. The message of the song Do You Hear the People Sing proves this.
MATOLA, Gabriel T.
ReplyDeleteMEDINA, Antonio Vito S.
Class Warfare - the socio-political struggle of 17th Century France, and the psychology of self-actualization of the protagonist
In Les Misérables, the most projected theme is that of a socio-political aspect marred by the economic condition of the people, along with the protagonist’s development as an ex-convict to a changed man. To start with, there is an evident struggle which can be attributed to Karl Marx’s The Communist Manifesto wherein the notion of class warfare, shows the struggle of the marginalized majority, in the musical, being the poor. The poor, as emphasized in the musical, is already too maimed by just trying to survive on a daily basis. But through all this, capable and passionate students yearn for direct change through armed revolution over the country’s socio-economic situation; which overall is political in essence, all of which can be attributed to class warfare.
The mentioned struggle of the poor can be shown in the song sung by the marginalized featured before the song At the End of the Day was sung; with the lyrics “there’s a hunger in the land” and “we’re counting our blessings”, and more of it speak of their economic condition, with the expression of “At the end of the day you get nothing for nothing, sitting flat on your bum doesn’t buy any bread” suggesting their continuous struggle to economically. With the students shown in the musical who desire to revolt, can be exhibited in the song sung by the students themselves called Red and Black; lyrics go by as students like Feuilly’s part “They’re straining at the leash” which speaks of a struggle that is seen as a significant action to be taken, Courefeyrac’s “Students, workers, everyone” then is attributed to the majority, and Enjolras’s “So near… It’s stirring the blood in their veins!” sung by the students who are willing to initiate revolution, dangerous but inevitable as it is deemed as the only solution. The mentioned provide a situation in which Karl Marx’s class warfare can be interpreted as related and significant, as throughout the songs, it can be seen that what sparked such passion is the oppression that exists within the society under law and socio-economic aspects.
Moving on, the self-actualization of a simple man in a society shows the intricateness of being human along with the factors of one’s psychological condition, economic status, and political state of being part of society. In the musical Les Misérables, Jean Valjean, the protagonist that was an ex-convict from the poor, is compelled by himself to confront his real identity. One psychological factor present in the story is Jean Valjean’s alter-ego. Alter-ego was first used by Cicero of Rome, but afar from his definition which is “trusted other self or a trusted friend” the idea will be used as the “self which the first condemns to be, wishes to be, or avoid becoming”. This condition is distinct from the man’s primary personality.
The line “This innocent who bears my face, Who goes to judgment in my place”, in Valjean’s perception when Javert proclaimed about the man who was accused as him and was put into trial for Valjean’s own doing, his alter-ego, the man who was convicted and charged of stealing and breaking property and was consciously hiding in his new self, was brought back to his present state. And of which, affected also his economic position as a “master of hundreds of workers”, and he shared his sympathetic interaction for other’s misfortune of the absence of his being if he decides to take the position of the accused, present in his statement “How can I abandon them? How would they live if I am not free?” “Who am I? Can I conceal myself for evermore? Pretend I'm not the man I was before? And must my name until I die, be no more than an alibi?” The political state of being of the man was also put into test as he decides whether of which he must act, for the being of himself, or to sacrifice his own for the being of the many.
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ReplyDeleteLAURETA, Jose Antonio M.
ReplyDeleteLonely souls and higher goals: The socio-political concept of Nationalism
Of all the of the cast of characters in Les Miserable who were used to convey various messages to it's audience, the men of the ABC Cafe (most notably Enjolras) who sang Red and Black perhaps managed to paint a picture of what nationalism is. During the first few minutes mentioned song number, Enjolras, a man whose love for the country has made him do things that could be described as no less then revolutionary, berates his love-stricken friend Marius. He sarcastically asks Marius if "they fight for a night at the opera", if all their hard work was not for a noble goal such as putting down a corrupt government but rather for one's one merriment. Marius tried to defend himself, but to this Enjolras said "Who cares about your lonely soul? We strive towards a higher goal. Our little lives don't count, at all."
This particular part stood out as a prime example of what Nationalism is. When one's thoughts and actions are done for the betterment of one's country, for the greater good as one may put it, then one is demonstrating their nationalism. Any budding public servant, anyone who has thoughts of being in service of their country should have this mindset of love for one's country above love for oneself that Enjolras tried to convey through this song.
To further enforce the importance of having nationalism, Enjolras sings of the colors red and black. First he uses the two to symbolize the blood of angry men, and the dark of ages past respectively. While at first there may not be any connection between them, it is actually Enjolras telling of the blood that has been shed thanks to years upon years of being under a corrupt government, under corrupt high-class proletarians. It is a reminder of how badly nationalism is needed to put a stop to such inhumane treatment of those of a lesser social status.
As for the second time, where red is "a world about to dawn" and black is "the night that ends at last", is Enjolras saying that the time of their freedom is near. While it seems more literal and much more applicable in context of the play only, as the end of the corrupt reign of those in the world of the story of Les Miserables, one can take it as the fruits of having nationalism. Any other country plagued with corruption can hope to achieve this same end if they quit their selfish, self-serving mindset and instead work towards the greater good, a better tomorrow, a free country.
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ReplyDeleteHwang, Sung Ung
ReplyDeleteDon’t they know they’re making love to one already dead?
The song named ‘lovely ladies’ in the musical ‘Les Miserable’ seemed to be expected according to the title that some lovely ladies would appear in the play and dance lively with joy, however, the dirty-looking prostitutes came on and sang a song craving for money; acting so cheap and graceless and it caused my face frown. A great shame would come right after the frown when I realized that the word ‘lovely ladies’ was symbolized the sorrows and tragedy of those prostitutes. Fantine, one of the prostitutes, had shown a tragic story becoming a prostitute that shouldn’t be neglected as socio-political and economic view.
As Sung by Fantine in the song “I dreamed a dream”, Fantine was a beloved lady who once dreamed never-ending love with her love. She was abandoned by him and fell in a deep depression, nevertheless, she did not give up her journey and had been dreaming ‘her life would be different from the hell she was living’ (sung by Fantine in her song). She labored hard to earn money in order to be affordable to pay for her daughter’s fosterer. Fantine’s employer unjustly fired her from the job and she had no choice but to become a prostitute, else she couldn’t support her sick daughter.
The lines ‘At the end of the day get colder. At the end of the day get hunger’ from the song ‘At the end of the day’ sung by the factory women express the reality of people’s bare livelihoods in 19th century in France. The rich explicit the labors and the labors poorly got paid for their work; Poor had gotten poorer day by day. They should do any job for their livings as same as Fantine became a prostitute for her daughter. Fantine in her song ‘I dreamed a dream’ sang that ‘My life has killed the dream she dreamed’- What had killed her life? What made this lovely lady a dead-prostitute?
Fantine’s story is a significant data for the society to be reminded that the society has responsibility to take care of poor so that further tragedy like Fantine wouldn’t be happen again.