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.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGuerzon, Agustin III
ReplyDeleteImplied Master-Slave relationship between the boss and the poor employees and its effects
In the musical Les Miserables it showed the relationship between workers and employers / rich and poor. I must say that what the workers meager earnings for their living was not enough or just fairly enough to make them survive but it will never get them out of poverty as sung by the workers-At the end of the day (At the end of the day) “At the end of the day another day is over with enough pocket to last for a week pay the landlord, pay the shop keep on working as long as your able.” It gives me the idea that they may survive from working but it would never get them into progress while their employer continue to grow his earnings.
This would make things miserable and unfair for the workers because they work their sweat off everyday yet they still have a little to no chance to crawl away from poverty. They become dependent to their employers as their only source of income and make opportunities limited for the workers. Making it similar to slavery because they have no choice but to do what is required by their masters/employers or else they would suffer/not survive.
The effect of the implied master-slave relationship between workers and employers is that some people resort with desperate means in order to survive and meet daily necessities. The examples are Valjean and Fantine they both resorted doing taboo such as Valjean stealing bread and Fantine resorting into becoming a prostitute, did they really want to be in their position? Obviously not as it was evident in the song “I dreamed a dream” by Fantine (“I had a dream my life would be different from the hell I’m living “). Who would have wanted to do what is wrong?
But people like Valjean and Fantine (Poor people in general) got pushed through their limits by the dire situation they are in the poor no choice but to resort into desperate measures. I think they would not have to suffer if they just had opportunities. At least now at present (even if it is imperfect) there are programs and laws that protect the people from not suffering what Fantine and Valjean suffered
ANDAL, Thomas Sergio
ReplyDeleteAQUILIZAN, Dohn Alfred
The Great Divide of the Rich and the Poor
Les Miserables, a French novel, was written by Victor Hugo in 1862. It explored the condition of France in the early 19th century. It showed the politics, morality and the way of life of the people during that period. It was also popularised through numerous adaptations as a musical and a film.
The play amplified various ideas that the original novel portrayed. One idea that caught my attention was the social condition of the people—the great divide between the rich and the poor. This divide inevitably led to the inability of the poor to obtain justice and to live a good life. Such idea was evident in several scenes.
First, the musical number “At the End of the Day” showed the misery of the poor. This was captured in the lines ,which was sung by the poor and the factory workers, “ … At the end of the day it is another day over, with enough on your pockets to last for a week, pay the landlord, pay the shop. Keep on working as long as you are able. Keep on working till your drop, or it’s back to the crumbs on the table. You’ve got to pay your way.” Second, the musical number “Look Down” showed how the rich was indifferent to the plight of the poor. This attitude was shown in the lines, which was sung by Gavroche and the poor, “Look down, and see the beggars on your feet. Look down and show some mercy if you can.”
The great divide between the rich and the poor is still evident in today’s society. The social conditions that were portrayed in the novel and the play still persist. Thus, Les Miserables remains relevant today as it was in the 19th century.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBOCO, Eva Joy
ReplyDeleteDELA CRUZ, Ma. Clarissa
Political and Ethical notion of enforcement of law
As we are watching the play, the different views of Javert and Jean Valjean regarding the enforcement of the law caught our attention. Javert’s idea about the law- that it has to be obeyed at all times, under any circumstance, is evident in the song Stars. On the other hand, Jean Valjean’s notion that the law is the enforcer of suffering is shown in the prologue song, Look Down. These two contrasting ideas about the law can be discussed in Political and Ethical manner.
In the political aspect, the conservative idea of Javert about the law that it has to be firmly obeyed is clearly shown in the song Stars- the way he sung it with conviction and also in the lyrics of the song (“and so it must be, for so it is written, on the doorway to paradise, that those who falter and those who fall must pay the price!”). He believes that the law is from God that is why he is on the right track (“He knows his way in the dark, mine is the way of the Lord”). In this respect, we agree that the law should be enforce with firmness.
In the ethical aspect, we observed Jean Valjean’s view of the law as a hindrance to freedom (“I know the meaning of those 19 years, a slave of the law”) and the cause of his and the other’s suffering, contrary to what the law should be- a protector to the people of the state. Valjean, being a slave for nineteen years because of stealing a loaf of bread, has developed hatred, hopelessness towards the law (“Look down, look down; you'll always be a slave. Look down, look down; you're standing in your grave”). Having considered Valjean’s circumstance, we claim that the law should be firm but should also consider circumstances by giving a fair trial and fair punishment for a crime committed.
SOURCES:
DeleteJavert, Stars
Javert, Jean Valjean and Chain gang, Look Down
SOURCES:
DeleteJavert, Stars
Javert, Jean Valjean and Chain gang, Look Down
Empleo, Marry Vanette
ReplyDeleteThe political notion of conflict from within
Victor Hugo’s, acclaimedFrench literary classic writer, Les Miserables encompasses many powerful visionaries of political, social and sometimes, spiritual conflicts. The print had been justified with the theatrical works of experienced stage actors and actresses, giving life to the characters and melodies to Hugo’s letters. Thus, attention had mostly been fixated on Jean Valjean’s plight as an orphan, as a mayor and as a criminal which involves various societal problems reflected on the lyrics and on Jean Valjean, himself.
In Les Misérables, justice is clumsy at best; it barely punishes the worst criminals but tears apart the lives of people who commit petty crimes (“Look down, look down, There's twenty years to go I've done no wrong!” -Valjean, Look Down) like Jean Valjean who stole a loaf of bread. Hesuffered as an orphan; suffered nineteen years of imprisonment for a petty crime and would suffer all his life not knowing who he really was until his last days ( -Who am I). Jean Valjean may be Hugo’s visionary of how poverty dehumanizes poor (“And that's all you can say for the life of the poor.It's a struggle, it's a war.”-poor people on the streets,At the end of the day) leading to bigger societal problems and how injustice in labor and the law could be a product of socio-political struggles from within, spiritually. Jean Valjean’s condition was a clear vision of how society dictates the poor to be even poorer and the rich to be richer and justice claimed according to class.
There was a time where Jean Valjean asked himself in a song, “Who am I?” questions of faith, politics and society in an indirect way. If he would let Javert sue the man who resembles him(“Why should I save his hide? Why should I right this wrong”- Valjean, Who am I?), he would take part on the social wrong doings of the law; if he speaks up; he would let hundreds of his workers die of unemployment and starvation (How can I abandon them? How would they live, If I am not free?”- Valjean, Who am I?),and that would be politically incorrect since he has to think of the common good. If he doesn’t, he would be spiritually damned after promising to Myriel to be an honest man. Later he decided to accept his past to be socially correct(“Who am I?24601!”- Valjean, Who am I?)and to accept that he is Jean Valjean(“ Who am I? Who am I? I am Jean Valjean!”- Valjean, Who am I?), no more, no less.
Jean Valjean, speaking on own interpretation, was the narrowing down of the whole novel. Of how political, social and spiritual conflicts come from within and no matter how hard it could be; it can only be solved through oneself( "For the wretched of the earth, there is a flame that never dies. Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise!"-Eponine, Fantine and Valjean in chorus,Epilogue).
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDatiles, Nickie ( im alone)
ReplyDeletePolitical and social depiction of the emotional cry of the lower hierarchy in the society
Les miserables was composed of different set of songs that were captivating and at the same time, something that will make you wonder and think. And among those, I've chosen "At the End of The Day" a political-social-kind of song that tackles about the lives of the society in the state.
It says that, At the end of the day, that was sung by the poor and the factory workers. The poor gets poorer while the rich gets richer. As from the lyrics, ("poor people: At the end of the day you're another day older, and that's you can say for the life of the poor") There's no progress going on because there is no change on the way they live. Their lives are being put down by the higher people as they just feel like existing and waiting for the time that things will come into an end. And another proof from the factory workers, ("workers: at the end of the day its another day over, with enough in your pocket to last for a week") which means, the money that they get as their salary is only good for them to survive for a week because there is no more excess from what they are earning in the labor that they do. Because they uphold so much burdens in their living and yet still struggle to survive and surpass them all not because they want to, but they have to.
The song was filled with the emotional cry for help and struggle of the poor society that do not get what they deserve from all that they do and offer for the society. These lower level of people are feeling hopeless and mistreated by the powerful and higher people who have the capability to manipulate and under them for they are stuck from who and what they are.
Adora, Gabriel D.
ReplyDeleteArevalo, Anella Vianchi G.
People Kill Dreams, Not Life: Socio-political Concept on the Unjust Treatment of Women
Les Miserables amplifies numerous conflicts in today’s society although it was set in a much earlier time. The grandeur and magnificence of the casts’ performance did not only satisfy because beautiful melodies were sung, but also because it tackled socio-political issues in a more theatrical approach. As such, we will focus on the unjust treatment of women in society- a socio-political issue that, to date, still exists. From what we saw and heard, Fantine embodied a want and need for a peaceful life, not only for herself, but also (and especially) for her daughter, Cosette.
While watching the concert, we cannot help but notice how cruel women were treated. Despite their condition, their reasons, and their desperation, they were given no mercy; especially Fantine- who has a daughter she cannot feed, nor take to the doctor for healing because she does not have the money. The towns folk considered Cosette as an illegitimate child, because the father left them both after Fantine got pregnant, which caused her unemployment, and subsequently, her resorting to prostitution.
In the song Lovely Ladies, the women working in the factory cried, “It’s because little Fantine won’t give him his way, take a look at his trousers, you’ll see where he stands!” This signified Fantine as an object of sexual desire. Moreover, it also signified that the women were as punishing as the men, like carnivores taunting their preys before they go for the kill, which is a form of bullying that is evident in the streets of Manila and many others- women get name-called and objectified as if they’re tools or toys to be played with. "If only Fantine knew better,” we thought, but she did not have the privilege to be educated, nor did she have the right.
As she looked back on that “time when men were kind… when love was blind… hope was high… life worth living,” in the song I Dreamed a Dream, we were introduced to a wonderful story- her blooming love life, a family to be soon established, an existence that resembles a dream- only to find out the reality of some stories not having a happy ending. It is already merciless for a man to leave a woman when he is the father of the child she bears, and people know this about her, about her sick daughter, yet they choose to drown her even more in misery. This can be represented in a larger scale, where the “able” kinds of people look down only to gloat and never to see who needs a helping hand, which might lead to many forms of vindication once the tables have been turned. After all, it is us against all the others who dare to kill our dreams, our lives intermingling with theirs, our survival at stake- life is just a metaphor.
Fantine, I Dreamed a Dream
Whores and Pimps, Lovely Ladies
Castillo, Horacio Thomas
ReplyDeleteEva, Sarah Angela
The Injustice in France
Les Miserables portrays numerous socio-political problems within the French society during the early 19th century. This problems ranging from the implementation of unjust punishments, unfair treatment of women in French society, the mistreatment of the poor and lastly the French Government not providing care and support for the poor. Victor Hugo uses Les Miserable to depict the situation France was in during the early 19th century. The problems that Hugo depicted which had a significant effect on us was the implementation of unjust punishments.
In the opening scenes of Les Miserable, it can be seen that Jean Valjean is serving his sentence in a shipping yard where it is revealed that he is serving a 19-year sentence for stealing a loaf of bread. Initially the sentence was just 5 years but because he ran away from authorities it was increased to 19 years. This is evident in when Javert sang “Five years for what you did
the rest because you tried to run” in the work song in the first part of the play. This just outlines the injustice that the people of France gets when it comes to their sentences when they are found guilty, especially Jean Valjean who was sentenced to 19 years for stealing a mere loaf of bread.
Inclined with the injustice mentioned above, even though Jean Valjean was already on his parole, he is still not truly free as said by Javert referring to Jean Valjean’s papers “This badge of shame you’ll show until you die. It warns you’re a dangerous man.” He already worked his time in the prison and treated as a salve, yet the French Government does not have any plans nor the urge in giving his life back. They hinder people like Jean Valjean to have a new and better life, because even if they are already been freed from prison cells and slavery, it is still in their names that they were criminals for their whole lives until they die.
In the middle part of the song, it can be seen how inconsiderate and unsympathetic the French Government was because they do not have the heart to help their fellow people who are suffering from poverty. This is apparent when Jean Valjean said, “I stole a load of bread, my sister’s child was close to death, and we were starving.” From there, you can also see the reason why he stole a loaf of bread and that is because he wants them to not die in hunger.
Javert and Valjean, Look Down
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDela Cueva, Jojee Rose
ReplyDeleteEbuen, Maria Angelica
Socially and Politically Miserable
Victor Hugo’s French literary classic Les Miserables is the story of the time of oppression of France before the French Revolution. Les Miserables displays different social and political issues during that time which is still present today. The concerns that caught our attention the most are the presence of poverty – social; and unfair allotment of punishments by the government -political.
In the song “At the End of the Day”, images of poverty and life of the poor and the working class can be clearly seen, that every tomorrow is just another striving day for them to survive. It is also shown that poverty can be the root of immorality. In the line " I stole a loaf of bread. My sister's child was close to death and we were starving." (Look Down - Valjean), Jean Valjean, through force of desperate circumstance committed the relatively minor crime of stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving relative. On the the other hand, Fantine was fired from working in the factory (At The End of the Day - Fantine & foreman) which led her to becoming a prostitute in order to provide for her daughter (Lovely Ladies - Fantine & prostitutes). These two situations in Les Miserables proved that poverty can dehumanize the poor.
Les Miserables visioned many socio-political conflicts, an example of it was Patron-Minette and their associates, who were real criminals who rob and murder are easy to escape from prison while Jean Valjean who only caught getting a loaf of bread suffered nineteen years in prison and he would also suffered all his life for that minor crime, the people from that time also suffered from having no rights from the government(“It's a struggle, it's a war, and there's nothing that anyone's giving” – Poor People, At the End of the Day) This implies that many people suffered a lot it sees sentiments of most of the people about how they wanted to be free and not wanted to be slaves again under the control of their repressive government ( “Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!” – Courfeyrac, Do you hear the people sing?)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAcuna, Kaisser John P.
ReplyDeleteBitantes, Jason B.
The Highs and Lows of Society
Les Miserables is a call for a wiser and nobler civilization. The performances were beyond magnificent because you could clearly see that the cast of the play really portrayed their roles as if they were in that person’s situation. The play was able to emphasize two issues from Les Miserables that will be discussed. The first is social issues, which is shown by society’s injustice towards the lower classes; and the second is the political issues, which is shown by how the law treats criminals and civilians.
In the play, it is shown that the government does not care at all for the poor nor does it provide for them it is also where the beggars continue to beg and where Enjolras questions the government. This is because the rich, having the money, prestige and power grab the attention of the government which is why they can get what they want easily. Although, despite the government’s blind eye toward the poor, there was one man who still showed compassion to them, his name was General Lamarque. It is shown that Gen. Lamarque cared about the poor because it is mentioned that he communicates with the poor however he eventually dies due to sickness which symbolizes that the number of people like him are only a few and are sadly getting fewer.
The song which was used, particularly “Look Down,” in the musical Les Miserables illustrates to the audiences the political and sociological dimensions of the said play .To prove the claims of the former paragraphs of this essay, the voices of the beggars on the lines” 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. Not much to look at, nothing posh Nothing that you'd call up to scratch. This is my school, my high society. Here in the slums of Saint Michele We live on crumbs of humble piety. When's it gonna end? When we gonna live? Something's gotta happen now or something's gonna give,” From the song, “Look Down” represents the social injustice among the French people wherein they are experiencing poor living conditions within the slums and because of that, Enjolras, expressed his discontent with the government in the line, “Where the leaders of the land? Where are the swells who run this show? ” meaning that the government does not provide any solutions in order to eradicate the said problem. The costumes of the beggars in the play provide a support to this claim because it gives the audience a vision of harsh living conditions within the boundaries of France.
On the political side of the song, Enjolras said that “With all the anger in the land, how long before the judgement day? Before we cut the fat ones down to size? Before the barricades arise?” This means that due to the lacking response on the issues by the government, the people felt discontented and thus leading to revolution of the lower classes. Even if they want a revolution, they are still afraid of the power of the government due to the number of men and weaponry based from the movie which eventually leads to the loss of the revolutionaries.
Gavroche, Beggars, Prostitues, Students - Look Down
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteCagara, Garilissa Erin
ReplyDeleteFermin, John Vincent
Social and ethical dimension of people's fight for good in a wrongful world
1.) Victor Hugo in his novel 'Les Miserables' created a picture of a community that was divided by social class that separated themselves from the world. They were living within the same country - France, period of restoration but were shattered by individual dreams disguised as miseries. Thus, the words of the author “Let us sacrifice one day to gain perhaps a whole life” magnified the people's fire to change the woe of the system and the society itself. Indeed they have long been 'existing' but existence does not mean 'living'.
2.) Humans are rational species capable of thinking and reasoning but these characteristics may go from being silent to extremely loud triggered by some situations. Society may be two kinds - hell and/or heaven; it is the previous if poverty is everywhere, prostitution is present, discrimination is abundant along with inequality and injustice. These scenarios of society were the daily burdens of the French community until it got into their senses that such condition has to end.
3.) An ethical issue is clearly portrayed in the novel as symbolized for example by Jean Valjean who is seen as a criminal and violator of the law. But he does not act as one for he has love and concern for his people as stated in the song Who am I (“How can I abandon them? How would they live If I am not free?”). Another character that portrays the issue are the Thenardiers who according to the song Master of the House are the “servants of the poor”, they show hospitality (“Residents are always welcome”) among their visitors which is seen as a good action. But it’s the opposite that happens for they steal the belongings of their visitors for their own and their true nature was revealed on the last part of the song: “Hypocrite, and toady and inebriate!"
4.) The poor and the educated (Marius, Enjolras, etc) have been thirsty for equality and justice which gave birth to a revolution which is a coin of two sides. There was no doubt that everybody wanted 'change' whatever it means for them, this was reflected in the song "One Day More" (performed by Valjean, Marius, Cosette, Eponine, Enjolras, 2 groups of students, Javert and the Thenardiers). The lines of the students "Every man will be a King ... There's a new world for the winning" sung passionately signified their desire for a better and peaceful living showing the social phase of change. On the other hand, Javert's ("They will wet themselves with blood!") and the Thenardiers' ("Watch 'em run amuck, Catch 'em as they fall") stance on the revolution go against ethical matters.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBesario, Kenny Anne
ReplyDeleteDe Jesus, Laurena
Ethical concept of right and wrong
Les Miserables is a well-known musical play which featured an array of characters suffering from different injustices such as social inequality and poverty. Oppressed by the society that they live in, they resorted to certain actions to survive that might otherwise be viewed by the eyes of law as wrong. This conflict reminded us about these two different views about the concept of right and wrong, as represented by Jean Valjean and Javert.
During the Work song, Jean Valjean justified his crime of stealing using these lines “My sister's child was close to death and we were starving.” He sang these lines filled with helplessness as if he was recalling that very moment. Again in the song confrontation he sang with conviction “All I did was steal some bread”. The way he viewed his act of stealing as way to save a life reminded us of the consequential dictum “The end justifies the means.”
Meanwhile, Javert was expressed as someone who is rule-based or deolontological as he mentioned in The Confrontation song with Jean Valjean, 'My duty's to the law'. His firmness with respect to the law is also evident with how vigorous he sang the line. The song Stars furthermore reflects Javert’s faith about the constancy of law expressed in the lines “You know your place in the sky. You hold your course and your aim.”
These two conflicting views about the concept of right and wrong shows how the society shapes one’s idea of morality. Jean Valjean was victimize by the society which gave him no choice but resort to crime just to save the life of his dying nephew. While Javert’s strict adherance to law lead to his downfall when he decided to commit suicide. Les Miserables presented the ethical problem of discerning the right from wrong, through the characters that represented these two conflicting sides.
BATO, Katrina Erika M.
ReplyDeleteBERDAN, David Lorenzo G.
Political and Social constructs behind the Marginalization of Women.
Les Miserables is a play written to depict the harsh realities of living, as experienced by all of the characters created by Victor Hugo. However, there are specific characters that are subjected to much more misery and devastation as they face not only the cruelty of life, but also of the society that imposes and oppresses them. These are characters portrayed by women who are belittled, degraded, and marginalized both in the play and in real life.
Such maltreatment is made evident in the song 'At the end of the Day', specifically in the lines sung by one of Fantine's coworkers: "There's a kid that she's hiding in some little town, there's a man she has to pay. You can guess how she picks up the extra, you can bet she's sleeping around." Fantine was then fired from her job without deliberation all because they viewed her being a single mother in a different light--that of being a slut or a prostitute. She was looked down upon both by men and women because of the social construct that makes everyone believe that being a single mother is disgraceful and dishonorable.
Driven by hopelessness and desperation, Fantine turned to prostitution as a last resort. Those who have power and money--the crone who cut Fantine's hair, the man who took her teeth, and the sailors who want to buy a woman's company for a night--view these women with no options as pushovers. As a result, they are brainwashed into thinking that they are nothing more than what other people say they are. The last line of 'Lovely Ladies' sung by Fantine ("Don't they know they're making love to one already dead") symbolizes something even worse, that they experience the death of their dignity and morality as prostitution becomes their way of life.
Lastly, the names used all throughout the play to describe women like slut, whore, prostitute, and even 'lovely ladies' are degrading and insulting. In the song 'Lovely Ladies' sung by Fantine and the other women in the dock, the prostitutes were referred to as 'lovely ladies' even if they were anything but. The sailors and other men who visited the place only called them that so that they could get their way with them.
Poor people, Workers, Foreman, Fantine- At the End of the Day
DeleteSailors, Whores, Pimps, Fantine- Lovely Ladies
BEJARIN, Joanne Camille P.
ReplyDeleteDULA, Jaziel, M.
The Political Notion and Reinvention of Oppression
“N’être pas écouté, ce n’est pas une raison pour se taire,” or “Not being heard is no reason for silence,” says Victor Hugo (1869), the author of the book Les Miserables (Hugo, 2013). The aforementioned quote was absent in the productions and movies based on the novel, but nonetheless, it follows through with the message Hugo wanted to portray. These students believe that the author wanted to spread awareness about the different socio-political problems that France, like the rest of the world, was facing during the late 1800s up until the early 1900s. However, some of the problems that caught the attention of these students is that of oppression and poverty.
It is imminent in the movie that the “precariat”, or poorest of the poor, as coined by O’Brien (O'Brien, 2013), is portrayed by the prisoners and those who have been given parole, as well as the laborers in the village. Their condition is manifested in the song At The End of The Day, sung by the labourers and beggars, by the lines “At the end of the day you're another day colder, and the shirt on your back doesn't keep out the chill, and the righteous hurry past, they don't hear the little ones crying…” Herein, one can be sure that these people do not experience a life of luxury, let alone comfort, because they cannot even afford to buy clothes that are appropriate for the weather, and is also evident in the song that the people who claim to be champions of the poor during the day just run past them in the streets in the cold night, not even bothering to stop and help. In the Prologue or Work Song, we can hear the prisoners sing “Look down, look down, you'll always be a slave. Look down, look down, you're standing in your grave,” with such tedium that we begin to realize that most of them have started to accept the bitter reality of being slaves, never getting out of the prison walls, and that they will die where they are.
In the times of today, with the world crawling with mega-corporations, industries, factories, and the like, the people may think that there is no such thing as oppression or slavery, or rather the idea that with all the problems an everyday citizen may be preoccupied with, he may think that there is no place left in his mind to fit the thought in. However, these students would like to disagree for the reason that the makings and doings of a slave may as well be characterized by the working class. Yes, it may seem that they are not being caged, abused physically, or left in the streets, but despite the salaries and privileges they receive, they may still be considered as slaves for the reason that they are forced to comply to the dictates of whoever is superior for the sake of survival, and to study the situation in depth will reveal the importance of power in the society. Thus, these students believe that slavery is not obliterated, but rather it has advanced together with the human kind, with the powerful advancing with it as well because as a matter of fact, the labourers in the movie make up most of the oppressed, which can also be compared to the current situation of the people of the world, where the only visible difference is that people have built more sturdier and larger cages-like office buildings and ships-and that abuse is more often experienced through mental pressure.
SOURCES:
DeleteLabourers and beggars, At The End of the Day
Prisoners, Prolouge/Work Song
REFERENCES:
Hugo, V. (2013). Les Miserables. London: Penguin.
O'Brien, L. (2013, April 3). Britain now has 7 social classes - and
working class is a dwindling breed. Retrieved January 16, 2015,
from The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-
news/britain-now-has-7-social-classes--and-working-class-
is-a-dwindling-breed-8557894.html
Andaya, Graziella
ReplyDeleteDuldulao, Marc Christian
Political struggle towards independence
Les Miserables is a clear depiction of what has society experienced during earlier times. It did not only portray the issues that society has experienced but it also showed the true meaning of nationalism. Moreover, it depicts a clear image of the French Revolution and the struggle of the people to gain freedom and equality. The chosen song in depicting and supporting the conflicts in the play are Do you hear the people sing, which reminds us of people who are struggling for freedom and their sense of nationalism and Lovely ladies, which depicts the social status of women in the society represented by Fantine.
Every act is political, as Newton’s third law states that in every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The sense of nationalism of the people and their actions to strive for freedom is said to be political, for it affects how the government functions and influence them to take into action. From the lines of the song Do you hear the people sing by the miserable, “Will you join in the crusade, who will be strong and stand with me, beyond the barricade, is there a world you long to see, Then join in the fight that will give you the right to be free!” Every political actor present in the rebellion acted as one to sought their right to be free from oppression due to people’s ignorance and selfishness who only think about what benefits them and not what benefits the whole.
The song Lovely ladies sang by the women by the dock, depicts the degraded status of women and gender oppression especially women in their society, which is still eminent in our society today. In the lines, “Come on dearie, why all the fuss? You’re no grander than the rest of us, Life has dropped you at the bottom of the heap, Join your sisters, make money in your sleep!” Fantine, which represents the oppressed women that sells their flesh to men who can pay their needs and to women who are beaten up by their men. Moreover, we can see the social indifferences among the characters, since men depicts greater power using their money to buy women which makes them dominant than the latter.
-Do you hear the people sing- the miserable, Lovely ladies- ladies by the dock and sailors.
Abelende, Arra Jean S.
ReplyDeleteBelgira, Marielle Cielo B.
Socio-political Concept: Fight against the Way of the Society
Divers struggle for freedom and equality were delineated in the novel/musicale-- Les Misérables. Our gaze was drawn into that of the lowest class right from the very start, wherein it was immediately shown through the character of Jean Valjean. He was not able to live freely because of the constraints of being a prisoner before. An evident phrase that describes his situation from the song Look Down is: "look down... You'll always be a slave. Look down... You're standing in your grave"-- it is as if he has no chance of living a new life anymore.
Class struggle is inevitable in all existing society-- Karl Marx's idea of class. Moreover, the society is divided into different sections because of the pursuit of class interests. As the upper class strive for power, the lower class strive for freedom and equality. The phrase: "will you give all you can give, so that our banner may advance... Some will fall and some will live, will you stand up and take your chance" in the song Do You Hear the People Sing clearly depicts the situation of the poor.
Lastly, in 1823, Montfermeil, little Cosette is singing the song Castle on a Cloud. The song is about Cosette imagining a world
wherein children are allowed to play and are not ordered around to sweep the floors or to clean. This is evident in the lines "There is a castle on a cloud
I like to go there in my sleep..Aren't any floors for me to sweep.. Not in my castle on a cloud.. There is a room that's full of toys..
There are a hundred boys and girls.. Nobody shouts or talks too loud.. Not in my castle on a cloud." During this time, little cosette is living with the
Thenardiers with their daughter Eponine, who is treated lovingly by her parents. Little Cosette then imagines a life with someone caring for her too.
The lines "There is a lady all in white..Holds me and sings a lullaby..She's nice to see..And she's soft to touch..She says: Cosette I love you very much."
Cosette can symbolize the oppressed, who relies on imaginations to uplift their spirits that are crushed by the unjust society. On the other hand,
Eponine symbolizes the oligarchs who has no problem because they are treated well and with respect in the society.
*Prisoners, Jean Valjean and Javert- Look Down
Delete*Enjolras, Combeferre, Courfeyrac, Feuilly and the miserables- Do you hear the people sing
*Cosette- Castle on a Cloud
Babiano, Eloisa L.
ReplyDeletePaola, Camilon E.
Hit the Right Note
Les Miserables, a classic literary work of Victor Hugo, contains many powerful images particularly relating to the real events and people in France. This classical piece depicted social and economic injustice and their effects, and strong political interests among the casts. These issues have caused the conflagrations to light up the whole country, and the revolutions illuminate the whole human race. The students will focus on the ideas that captured their attention: from a political and social point of view, the oppressed French citizens’ inspiration to build a strong state.
It can be interpreted from the play that some are deprived from their basic human rights, and others became slaves of their own conscience and beliefs. One particular poignant of this image is Cosette, Fantine’s daughter, who lives with the Thernardiers who are paid to look after her, but the eight year old child is treated as drudge. Also, Javert, a police inspector, follows the letter of the law but forgot its spirit that made him to question his own belief rather than to face the society’s dilemma. However having experienced oppression and deprivation, it is never a hindrance among French people, whether be rich or poor, to fight for their freedom.
Moreover, in every revolution, it is important that the revolutionists be supported and inspired by the common people to push through their goal. In the song red and black, Enjolras said, "we need a sign. To rally the people, to call them to arms, to bring them in line!"As to the sign, it came to them upon General Lamarque's death. "His death is the sign we await!", Enjolras said. In the day of Lamarque's funeral, they sang the song "Do you hear the people sing" with a tone full of hope and their eyes on fire. Inviting the people to join in the fight that will give them the right to be free. As each of the revolutionists (Enjolras, Combeferre, Courfeyrac) sing, people are encouraged and sang with them as well.
Enjolras, Combeferre, Courfeyrac
Red and Black
Do you hear the people sing
Blanco, Juan Miguel O.
ReplyDeleteCarreon, Lance Eriq S.
Justice Out of Order: Execration of Stereotypes
The subject that has caught our attention during the concert was the piece "The Confrontation" which was sung by Javert and Valjean. Personally it was the favorite because it was an exciting moment to watch Valjean and and Javert finally see each other again. The reason being is that Javert, prior to the confrontation, had been searching for Valjean for years.
This song is a social conflict between Javert and Jean Valjean.In the song, it was portrayed that Javert was stereotyping against ex-convicts. Before Javert can speak, Valjean asked for 3 days to save a suffering child which can be seen in the verse as sung by Valjean in The Confrontation, "Listen to me! There is something I must do. This woman leaves behind a suffering child. There is none but me who can intercede, In mercy's name, three days are all I need". Javert in response stated that all men like Jean Valjean do not change, and that it would be foolish for Javert to let him escape. Javert's idea of men like Valjean and how long he has been looking for Valjean can be seen in the verse as sung by Javert, "You must think me mad! I've hunted you across the years. A Man like you can never change. A man, such as you..". The prior line is a testament that the abhorrence or the grudge that the lawmen harbours for the ex-convicits denies the pillar of justice that the state shall uphold which is rehabilitation. That perpetual notion defeats the purpose of the state regranting the rights of citizens out from the social contract.
Javert's stereotypical idea about ex-convicts is a source of conflict between the two characters. Jean Valjean is more like the hero-type character where he does good,and sometimes it leads him to do things that would make himself look bad, somewhat mirrors that the end justify the means when the government implemented unfair and unjust punishment of 19 years of imprisonment for a merely stealing a loaf of bread to feed his needy family. Javert on the otherhand is a man bound to law. This is evident in the verse where it reads "My duty's to the law" and his mind is enclosed to a thinking that any violation to the law is a crime and no good may come out of it.
Valjean/Javert, The Confrontation
Celino, Ralph Rafael C.
ReplyDeleteThe Political and Social Implication of Unjust Punishment towards Criminals and how it ultimately fails as a Form of Rehabilitation
What caught my attention the most in the musicale Les Miserables is how the implementation of the law quickly crosses the border between being strict to simply unjust, as was the case with Jean Valjean in the Prologue – Work Song. What Jean Valjean did was steal only a loaf of bread and yet the poor man was imprisoned for 19 years. It is obvious that the justice system in France during that time was unjust and that a petty crime such as stealing bread should not imprison a man for 19 long years. What is worse is that the letter Jean Valjean was required to keep and show to people only enslaved him to the title of a “thief” for as long as he lived (“It means, you get your yellow ticket-of-leave, you are a thief”).
It is known for a fact that the ultimate goal of being locked up in prison and serving a sentence is not only to make the criminal realize the gravity of his crime but more so to rehabilitate him and for him to later on become an honest, law-abiding citizen of the community. However, with Les Miserables, it was unlikely to happen. This was evidenced by other prisoners who were very pessimistic (“Sweet Jesus doesn't care”, “They've all forgotten you”), hopeless (“You're here until you die”) and only wanted to die instead (“How long O Lord, Before you let me die?”) of spending another day in the prison. Even Jean Valjean who was at first very positive to start a new life after serving his sentence (“The day begins..., And now lets see, What this new world, Will do for me!”) later ended up stealing silverware once again (“But when the house was still, I got up in the night, Took the silver, Took my flight!”) because of how he was always treated unequally by other people in society whenever he tried to look for a job or find a place to stay (For when I come to any town, They check my papers, And they find the mark of Cain, In their eyes, I see their fear: We do not want you here.').
What this unjust form of “rehabilitation” implies in the political part of the play is that the government and its justice system has failed miserably from fulfilling its duty to its citizens. As was stated above, it is the task of the government to rehabilitate its criminals, as this is not only to ensure that these criminals experience a second chance in life but also to ensure that the community will no longer fear for their security from fellow citizens who threaten their lives. However, the opposite becomes the social implication of the unjust punishment given toward criminals. Prisoners who complete their sentence and live a new life but still carry the yellow ticket-of-leave might still end up like Jean Valjean who was optimistic at first, but in the end lost hope and came back to stealing to earn money. And normal citizens like the Bishop who interact with ex-convicts like Jean Valjean will still suffer from the threat of these ex-convicts.
Prisoners/ Javert/ Valjean/ Farmer/ Laborer/ Innkeeper's Wife/ Innkeper/ Bishop, Prologue - Work Song
DeleteDel Rosario, Renzo
ReplyDeleteUy, Kier John
Unending Injustice
Throughout the play of Les Miserables, Injustice was prevalent. Injustice is the socio-political idea that captured our attention in the play. This sense of injustice is best observed in the song "Look Down" which was performed by the prisoners, Javert, and Jean Valjean at the start of the play.
Injustice was portrayed in terms of the slavery that was done to the prisoners. Prisoners, despite their years of imprisonment, were turned into slaves. This is supported by the lyrics "Look down, look down
Don't look 'em in the eye
Look down, look down,
You're here until you die" and "Look down, look down
You'll always be a slave
Look down, look down
You're standing in your grave."
Looking down has different meanings, sometimes people look down because their shy or they did something horrible but it also represents that you look down because you have no right to be confident,that being a slave gives you no right to live as a normal person.
Another representation of the idea of Injustice is the 19-year sentence to Jean Valjean even though he just stole a loaf of bread. Furthermore, after serving his 19-year sentence, Jean Valjean was party partially free and unfree because even though he is not a prisoner anymore, he was given a parole that testifies that he is a man that should not be associated with. This sense of injustice is depicted with the lines in the song, "Javert: Now bring me prisoner 24601. Your time is up, and your parole's begun. You know what that means.
Jean Valjean: Yes, it means I'm free.
Javert: No! Follow to the letter your itinerary. This badge of shame you'll show until you die. It warns you're a dangerous man.
Prisoners, Javert, and Jean Valjean: Look Down
Espinola, Ma. Isabel
ReplyDeleteManuel, Princess
Depiction of the Miserable Poor
Les Miserables is a French Novel first published in 1862 written by Victor Hugo tells a brief history of France and elaborates the lives of the poor, starting with Jean Valjean who was as a prisoner but later on became sucessful. The novel tackled different political and social concepts and showed what the masses do in order to survive. It also showed how we can easily recognize and differentiate the poor from the rich and how lowly they are treated. This was shown throughout the novel as well as in the movie and musical.
The song “Look Down” depicts how big the gap is between the rich and the poor, wherein the higher class does not seem to care about them, as seen in the lines “ Look down, and see the beggars at your feet, Look down and show some mercy if you can “. We can also assume that they ignore them as much as they can and do not even consider the poor as “one of them” in the sense that they are all French and they all live in one place under one ruling king as seen in the line, “Look down, look down, Upon your fellow man!”. As stated aslo in the song “At the End of The Day” the lyrics “Keep on working as long as you're able. Keep on working till you drop” it portrays the characters as mistreated, made as slaves and forced into terrible positions by poverty because of the social inequality. It also shows that they are forced to work for them to be able to pay their dues and have a better life with their family, "With enough in your pocket to last for a week, Pay the landlord, pay the shop.” You can also see how miserable they are “It's a struggle, it's a war, And there's nothing that anyone's giving.”
We can also see what the poor endure in the song “At the End of the Day”, showing how they are so unhappy with their lives and social status. The song also shows how they work their butts of to not go back to being poor to the point they eat crumbs to nothing in a day as seen in the lyrics sung by the workers, “Keep on working till you drop, or it’s back to the crumbs on the table.” Another aspect is how they squabble instead of just simply helping each other out. Even though they are all of the same nation and social status they ruin each other’s lives and we can see this the part of the song wherein the workers find out that Fantine has a child and instead of helping her out they all went up against her to lose her job and they sung, “At the end of the day she'll be nothing but trouble, And there's trouble for all when there's trouble for one. While we're earning our daily bread, she’s the one with her hands in the butter. You must send the slut away, or we're all gonna end in the gutter. And it's us who'll have to pay, At the end of the day!”.
Many viewpoints arise on the topic of social inequality, some may say that social inequality is “getting better” or nearly nonexistent in this day and age but the truth of the matter is, social inequality has not disappeared and is far from it. Race, class, and gender differences affect the behaviors, lifestyles, and mindsets of people and the future generations. Let us first consider the classic game of Monopoly, in the game, players compete with others, receive a salary, pay taxes, buy property, occasionally receive awards, and on some strokes of bad luck, go to jail, on a basic sense, the game seems more like the game of life, and looking at it in a broader spectrum it very well could be. Now imagine a skewed game of Monopoly, take away the level playing field for all players and instead, instill a social pyramid into the game.
Workers, Beggars, Foreman, Fantine - At the End of the Day
Beggars, Prostitutes, Gavroche, Students - Look Down