Les Miserables Reflection Paper

Tenorio, Bianca Patrice P. Tolentino, Angela Jhoie G. Les Miserables portrayed four states of life through different characters. First, single blessedness was seen through Jean Valjean, French revolutionist and Inspector Javert who were fighting for their own duties in life and want to succeed by fulfilling it till they die. Second, married life was portrayed through the marriage of Cosette and Marius whose love has blossomed through the war and made it through till the end. Third, religious life was depicted through the nuns who help the sick regain their health. Lastly, priesthood which was portrayed by Bishop Myriel who helped Jean Valjean turn to his new course in life in God’s will. It is written in the bible that when you love your neighbor it also symbolizes that you love God because whatever you do to your neighbor you do it to God as well. Just as the statement goes “to love another person is to see the face of God”. Just like Bishop Myriel’s encounter with Jean Valjean whose been imprisoned most of his life for stealing bread to save the life of his sister’s child. Jean Valjean’s imprisonment made him tough and his affection to love and trust anyone became as cold as ice. He sees the world as a brutal place to live in where he does not really know who he is and what is the purpose of his life however, Bishop Myriel came along and gave him food, shelter and humane treatment. But Jean Valjean still doubted the Bishop’s act to him and continued to do what people labeled him as a thief and then stole the Bishop’s silver and ran away. Not so long, Jean Valjean was caught again for stealing and was brought to the Bishop’s place again to be punished. However, everyone was surprised when the Bishop Myriel told everyone that those silvers were his gift to Valjean. Jean Valjean could just not believe what good this Bishop has done to him and started to question himself, who am I? Which eventually changes his life and remembered deep down in his heart the fatherly love Bishop Myriel has acted upon him. When Bishop Myriel gave Jean Valjean his silver candlesticks, it symbolizes the right path that Valjean must take on his new chapter in life where he is no more prisoner anymore and must life the life of an honest man. Bishop Myriel’s compassion to Valjean depicts Christ’s mercy to him, in which transformed Jean Valjean. In the movie, the candlesticks constantly reappear to light the way of Valjean to be a better man that he could be and fulfill his duty to God. Jean Valjean’s transformation symbolizes his baptism as a newly born again, with his new identity and duties in life he must fulfill in line with God’s will. His transformed life has a great role in upbringing Fantine’s daughter Cosette and has helped Marius to survive the war and be with Cosette. Indeed, Jean Valjean has touched the life of others with compelling grace and love. Till then Jean Valjean was able to see God’s face through Bishop Myriel’s compassion.