Movie
Analysis Guide Question
Title: Les Miserables
Genre: This movie belongs to the genre of
Fiction on the sub-genre of Historical Fiction.
Characters: Jean
Valjean-a prisoner who broke his parole and was hunted by the police force,
Javert-the man who is hunting Jean
Valjean, Fantine-mother of Cosette, Cosette-the daughter of Fantine whom
Jean Valjeane raised like his own daughter, Marius-a man who came from a rich family but hides his true
identity and fought side by side with his friends in the revolution he is also
the love interest of Cosette, Eponine-a
friend of Marius who is secretly in love with him, Thenardier & Madame
Thenardier-parents of Eponine who owns a small inn also the foster parents
of Cosette before Jean Veljean adopted her, The Priest- who helped
Jean Valjean to change his life and become a better person.
Setting: The story took place in France right
after the French Revolution.
Plot: The story revolves on the people who
are intertwined in some events that follows after the revolution. A man that is
being chased by the authorities and he met different kinds of people. That he
changes their lives and changed his own life.
Theme: The movie shows that even how hard
life is there is always a time that man can show goodness to other. And there
is reward to those who do well. And whatever life may bring there are always
people that we can lean on.
Symbolism: The
Priest: the symbol of forgiveness and kindness, the divine forgiveness and
kindness of God to his son/daughter that whatever you did that is wrong just
ask forgiveness and He will forgive you , just ask Him what you want and if it
is fit for you it shall be given. Javert:
the symbol of honor and justice, in the story he is the Law personified. We
can see that everyone who violated the law will be punished accordingly. Jean Valjean: the symbol of will and
courtesy, the will to reach our goals, the will to live and survive and the
will to become a better person. And his ways on how to deal with people like a
true gentleman. Fantine: the symbol
of hard work, providence and sacrifice, she depict what a parent can do to show
their love and sacrefices to their children to provide with everything and give
them a comfortable life. Cosette, Marius
and Eponine: the symbol of love, they show how complex love is and how
people act if they felt this feeling. The
Revolutionists (friends of Marius): the symbol of loyalty, bravery and
camaraderie, they showed the importance of loyalty and bravery in friendship
that no matter what happens true friends will stick with you till the end.
1. What does
the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?
-It relates
to the peoples struggles and pain in their lives and showed how they live those
kind of life. If we translate the title in English it will be “the miserable”
in the title we can conclude that in those times how really it is difficult to
live in a place full of endeavor and challenges.
2. Among the
characters, to whom can you relate to?
-I can
relate to Jean Valjean, on how he struggle to live a peaceful and better life.
His struggle to become a better person and redeem his name and dignity of the
crimes he committed. And especially, his will to survive and his kindness to
others . I can relate myself to him in a way that I also struggle to reach my
goals and my dreams and facing the problems that comes my way. Making decisions
that can benefit the many and willing to push through on what I have started.
3. Which
part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?
-The death
of Jean Valjean, because it is the saddest part for me. And what I learned from
it is that after the long race of a person’s life there is always a finish line
and that is death and that’s reality for everyone. And only a person can say
that he/she lived life to the fullest if they full filled their mission in
life.
-Never to
give up on something you want and love, forgiveness is very important to a man’s
life that can mold them into a better person and learn from the past. And
always give value and cherish our relationship with our loved ones.
5. Did I
like this in general? Why?
-Yes, The story
really captivates its viewers and leaves them with mixed emotions. The story is
very thrilling and exciting. And it is made with such a great passion, which
you really can feel while watching it.
6. Did I
agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?
-Yes, because
the theme exactly relates to what is happening to the real world. And it speaks
of what is happening in the movie.
7. What
specifically did I like/dislike? Why?
-The part in
which the soldiers killed the little boy, it is just very moving and sad for
me. I don’t like it, they didn’t give the boy a chance to live.
8. Are there
any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?
-None, everything
is crystal clear to me.
9. How does
this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?
-The
challenges that comes my way, how I struggle to get out from it and achieve my
goals and dreams.
