Friday, September 18, 2015

Communication Ethics: Les Miserables

After watching Les Miserables for a couple class periods, there were many things to note pertaining to the communication ethics within the musical. Through the dialogue and interactions between the characters, it becomes apparent that social class has a supreme influence on the communication among citizens. In the beginning of the film, while Jean Valjean is working in the chain gang, the officers bark orders at him along with the other prisoners, forcing them to do grueling work. The prisoners have no choice but to submit to the commands of the officers, and are looked at as the bottom of the social totem pole. They command zero respect while hardly being able to speak at all. Any incorrect words or action can lead to further punishment.

Another instance of communication ethics arises during the scene including Jean Valjean and the Bishop of Digne. The Bishop is held to a moral standard and personal code of ethics that most likely outmatches anyone in the community. He treats Jean Valjean with compassion, and treats him as a fellow human, after virtually being a slave during his time in imprisonment. When Valjean is caught stealing the Bishop's gift, the Bishop goes along with his lie, giving him a second chance. The Bishop, being a man of God, believes in forgiveness and treating people of all backgrounds like equals. His actions differ greatly from many other citizens in the film.

In the clothing factory that Fantine is working in, there is also a clear class distinction. The women making the clothes are simply expected to do their work and follow the orders of their foreman. Fantine is harassed by her fellow workers for having an illegitimate child, as they try to bring her down to the lowest social level possible. When the foreman harasses her physically, she rejects him and is fired. Simply having a higher position within the factory gives the foreman absolute power over Fantine and the other female workers. He is able to do whatever he pleases as long as Valjean is not around to see it. The differences in class allow for many of the people in higher, wealthier positions to abuse their power at the expense of the poor and less fortunate.

 The interaction between characters in the musical are almost entirely dictated by social rank. The tension between the rich and poor, and the weak and powerful is building throughout the film, and it is clear that an uprising is about to happen. Les Miserables has made it interesting to see how the emotion of dialogue is expressed while being sung rather than spoken. I am excited to watch the end of the film and how things will play out for the characters.


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