Blog 1: Dominance in Communication

Jean Valjean, the protagonist in Les Miserables, receives a substantial sentence for stealing a loaf of bread and numerous attempted escapes. It is understood that the verdict against him is directly correlated to his social status, thus earning him a longer sentence and slave labor. The hierarchical differences between Valjean and Javert, the prison guard, leave very little room for communication, hence Javert’s dominance is augmented and he uses this power over Jean Valjean. Javert’s communication skills are questionably ethical, as he does not communicate from the perspective of being understood; he communicates using power to get his message across.

The problem Valjean faces is a cultural and cumbersome hierarchical difference; he is the subordinate and he is treated as such. The movie is set in 1815, and the same communicational issues are still present in certain aspects of today’s society. Certain people in higher posts do not possess the necessary communication skills to eloquently express themselves and effectively interchange their thoughts and intentions with those they are supervising; this leads to unproductive environments in which power struggles become the norm directing and executing orders.

Javert’s actions can be construed as bullying, because he lacks the necessary skills to act as a leader. He is a complex character and his actions as a guard are more burdensome than efficient. Luckily Valjean’s experiences under Javert’s reign have not permanently impacted his own perspectives on how to lead and communicate with others.

We’ll have to see what happens next…