Lecture Notes: Themes and Characters

Introduction

• Importance of storytelling in addressing societal issues (ignorance, poverty, wretchedness).
• Emotional tone set by music and audience responses.

Main Character: Jean Valjean

• Background: Initially labeled as a thief, claiming to be a woodcutter.
• Sentenced to 5 years in prison, struggles for survival.
• Pleads for mercy due to his circumstances (starving family).
• His journey starts with a cycle of despair: prison, hunger, theft.
• Key Quote: "If you treat men like animals, that is what you'll get."

Other Characters

• Inspector Javert: Represents law and order; believes in strict enforcement of the law.
• Madame Maglot: A compassionate figure who shows kindness to Valjean.
• The Bishop: A pivotal character who offers redemption by believing in Valjean's potential for good.

Themes

Mercy vs. Justice

• The harshness of the legal system versus the need for compassion.
• Valjean's repeated punishments showcase a flawed justice system.
• The Bishop's forgiveness represents a counterpoint: redemption versus punishment.

Poverty and Desperation

• Illustrates the lengths to which individuals will go to survive.
• The portrayal of characters like Valjean emphasizes the impact of societal neglect.

The Struggle for Identity

• Valjean's fight to redefine himself beyond his criminal past.
• The conflict between his desire for a better life and the ever-present shadow of his past.

Key Events

• Valjean's trial and sentencing.
• The transformation initiated by the Bishop's kindness—"you are more worthy than any of us."
• The societal context: class struggle, revolution, and the fight against oppression.

Conclusion

• The narrative serves as a critique of the social order and an exploration of redemption.
• The concluding thoughts emphasize hope amidst despair and the potential for personal transformation.