Andrea Rosemarie U.

Arenas
11214627
The play was able to portray the four states of life through
certain characters. The first state, single blessedness, was seen
through a number of freedom fighters and inspector Javert. The second
state, married life, was seen through the union of Cosette and Marius
Pontmercy. The third state, holy order, was seen through the Bishop
Myriel. The fourth state, religious life was seen through the nuns at the
convent who helped nurse people back to health.
To me the statement, To love another is to see the face of God,
is indeed true. A person can only learn to give love once he or she has
experienced the love of God. Once a person is touched by the
abundant grace of God, he or she will never be the same. It was
evident once Jean Valjean felt the kindness and goodness of God
through the acts of Bishop Myriel. And since then, he was awakened
and devoted his life to be of service to others. He created jobs with
good working conditions for people. He helped whenever he could
regardless of the social class the person belonged in. He devoted his
life to be of service to others. But most of all, he took Cosette as his
own and raised her the best he could. God was able to warm his heart
even more through Cosette. God our Father loves us with all his heart,
and once we truly love another, we try to give the same unconditional
love that we receive from Him.
The profound meaning of the barricades of freedom was
evident during the last scene of the film. All throughout the movie the
barricades of freedom represented the wall to keep them safe from
harm brought about by the French soldiers. It was what kept them safe
as they fought for their beliefs. At the end of the film, those who
passed away during the French Revolution sang the song once again.
This time, however, they were not on earth. They were no longer
singing for war, they were singing for peace to come upon those who
have died during the war. They were welcoming Jean Valjean to join
them. Thus, the profound meaning of the barricades of freedom is
the protection of God and His kingdom. Our Lord is our rock and our
shelter. He alone can bring us freedom from within. It is through Him
that we can be safe and saved.
The characters in Les Miserables had varying outlooks and
perspectives on life. Jean Valjean, for instance, swore his life to be of
service to God. Furthermore, he also wanted to right all the wrongs
that he had done. He devoted his life to be of service to others without
expecting anything in return. Javert, on the other hand, saw life to be
lived according to the law. He lived by his sworn duty to uphold the law

and by the belief that it was unquestionably true until the day he took
his own life. Fantine saw the goodness and darkness of life. Regardless
of the situation, she saw life as means to provide for her daughter. She
lived in a way that managed to put someone elses life before her own.
Eponine, though a freedom fighter, did not see life like the freedom
fighters. She saw life as a state of being with or without Marius
romantically; this was highlighted through the song On My Own and
in the scene where she passed away. The freedom fighters saw life as a
fight to gain freedom from the aristocrats of France. Their uproar and
unfailing spirit till the end showed their courage, belief and dedication.
The innkeepers saw life as a means to acquire wealth and material
possessions. They cheated everyone they could and turned every
situation as a means to exploit people. To them, everything given must
have something in return. Maurius, an aristocrat, saw life from both
perspectives and chose to fight with the freedom fighters. He was able
to see the oppression and inequality, which was why he saw life as an
opportunity to stand for what was right. Also, he saw love in life, as he
was given a chance to care for Cosette. He knew everything Jean
Valjean did for Cosesste, for him and for their marriage. Cosette saw
life as a journey for answers. As a child, she longed for a better life. As
she grew into a young lady, she longed for the truth. Their past and
experiences helped shape each and every single characters view on
how to live accordingly. Each of them saw life as a journey and
responsibility to fulfill a certain belief or a cause.