Four powerful words from Les Miserables. A legendary novel, musical, and I am wondering the upcoming movie. Four hours long?
Victor Hugo, the writer, was never a big fan of church. He considered church as outdated and full of ignorance of surrounding poverty.
However in Les Miserables: Victor Hugo wrote that a bishop lied to save Jean Valjean saying that the silverware he stole was gift, changing his life forever. And from this point, the kindness begins to roll.
Valjean later saved Cosette (Fantine's daughter) who was forced to work in inn. Took her as own daugher. He later released Javert, a policeman who hunted him for life, spared his life from execution with no conditions. After that he rescued Marius, who later married with Cosette.
Les Miserables is a huge story. But for me, it is a story about an ex-convict turns into a great noble man with a name of Jean Valjean.
Through the story you can see how Fantine loved Cosette so much, and in difficult situation she sold her hair and two front teeth and became a prostitute. How Eponine loved Marius, who never loved her back, and gave her life to save him. How Valjean loved Cosette so much that after she married with Marius, he asked Marius to take her away, afraid of his past as criminal. He was so heartbroken and lead to his death.
Even though Victor Hugo may not agree with the church, you can see that the closeness of the characters with God.
And he made a bishop as starting point of the story. I keep wondering why?
Perhaps it was a critic, that he once dreamed that church will have compassion for the poor, to show that compassion speaks louder that the teachings?
Les Miserables was written in 1862, 150 years ago. But this story has become eternal. It will be told from generation to generation.
"Do you hear the people sing?
Lost in the valley of the night
It is the music of a people
Who are climbing to the light
For the wretched of the earth
There is a flame that never dies
Even the darkest night will end
And the sun will rise
They will live again in freedom
In the garden of the Lord
They will walk behind the plough-share
They will put away the sword
The chain will be broken
And all men will have their reward
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes
Will you join in our crusade?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes, tomorrow comes"
