Les Miserables Review

It was 1815, in Toulon, Jean Valjean just got out from a nineteen years of sentence because of stealing a loaf of bread for his family and some attempts of escape. Illogical, yes but this was the kind of society where he lived in. Some might find it very oppressive but if we try to look deeply into the essence of the law, we may find something which is also present in our current situation.

In Jean's time, stereotyping has corrupted everybody as how computers have today. For an ex-convict, dying was a better choice rather than starting anew or better yet portraying to be another person. Then, people wouldn't care about your explanations or anything you say, if you're a convict, you'll be a convict forever. No one would care how great was your offense. No one would even care to ask about your explanations. You got caught, you go to jail. It was as easy as that. The means can't justify the ends. Jean's family was in great hunger that's why he stole the loaf of bread but it doesn't really matter. He's been branded as a criminal and he'll forever be a criminal.

Basically, the kind of society where Jean lived in is somewhat similar to the ones we are living in today. We are literally poor in terms of our economy. We also have a disfunctional justice system. From the year 2000, how many cases have been settled or have been settled correctly? The Philippines also has a very high rate of extra-judicial killings. Just like in the novel, the government was also very unfair to its people. When you are up there, you live a good life, down here, it's far worse. There were also many revolutions and attempts of government destabilization. It was almost the same.

Amazingly, Jean made it through. He was able to start a new life. He changed and stopped stealing. He was able to live a good life but of fraud. Also, astonishingly, he became successful. But, he never truly became free. The story mainly revolved around Jean and how he touched the lives of people around hem. These people, in some sense are also wretched. All of them have their own stories to tell. They have tried a lot of times to start a new life and live well and good but the circumstances would always steal away everything they have worked for. It was as if they have no right to be happy and at peace. Once a criminal, always a criminal. That was the whole point. The njovel primarily tackled and tried to illustrate how miserable a person could get in 1815. This is why Les Miserables, it was all about the struggles of Jean and his companions against life, the society, time and everything else there is something to do with 1815. They were the miserable ones, the wretched ones, those who had misfortune born with them.

Les Miserables had a lot of values to teach. It is of great luck that I was able to witness this masterpiece. Every word made sense. Every event felt so real. Everything was so valuable. It made me want for something more. I was born a lucky man as compared to Jean and Cosette and everyone else in that time. I am given more chance. The story made me realize the importance of the self. Just because you fell, it doesn't mean you can't get up anymore. In the midst of miseries, it's very inspiring to find love hidden in his pocket. This is life and it may not be all good but you can be good. This kind of society we have cannot, in any way restrict us from achieving our goals in life.