Blog Post #1 - Significant and Symbolic scene for Jean Valjean

Deandra Butler
Mrs. Molyneux
H English D
28 April 2015


Blog Post #1 - Significant and Symbolic scene for Jean Valjean

In the novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean is presented as a prisoner that escaped prison during the French Revolution. As he returns to the town of D---, Valjean is rejected from every inn in the village. Out of complete desperation, the former prisoner knocks on one of the town’s resident’s door and proceeds to ask for food and shelter for the night. At first, the peasant did not refuse Valjean and then soon wonders the reason why the local shelters did not take him in for the night. The rejected man lies and answers that all of the inns were fully stocked, with no room for Valjean. Soon the poor man realizes that the man in front of him was “the man!”(10) and instantly yells at him to get away. Jean Valjean then travels into the woods where he finds a straw bed suitable for a night’s sleep. As soon as he lies down on the bed, Valjean hears a mighty growl; he intruded a dog- kennel! Shortly after, the homeless fellow is rejected from the place of an animal; Valjean runs out of the kennel while screaming “I am not even a dog” (11).

In the beginning of this book, this scene is one of the most significant and symbolic events that occurs to the main character, Jean Valjean. As he returned to D---, he was treated like an animal; he was treated like a dog. His criminal record, indicated by his yellow passport, reminds the townspeople of the hazardous potential Valjean carries everywhere with him. In the town of D---, he is shunned and frowned upon by the townspeople. This scene calls the readers to infer that Valjean is going to have to settle in a different region in order to earn a clean name.

Exploring The Significance of a Particular Setting:  Topic E-

In Les Mis, the setting of Eponine ‘s death is extremely significant because even though the French Revolution is simultaneously happening, nothing ever deviates or stops. This is notable because throughout the book, nothing ever changes for Eponine. Unlike Cosette when she is adopted by Jean Valjean, or Marius , finding and ultimately marrying Cosette, Eponine’s fate never changes. Once the daughter of the Thiendayers’, she was treated like a princess and held over Cosette. When the two grew up, it is obvious that Cosette is living the life Eponine wishes she had. Eponine is in love with Marius. But Marius has an undying love for Eponine. As the love triangle continues to grow, Eponine’s love for Marius is alive all throughout her life. "She loves him" (263). When she is shot at the battleground, Marius pauses time to be make Eponine’s end of life as comfortable as he can. Even though Eponine’s life is considered short, the setting of her death portrays her life.

Cosettes Mistreatment through Imagery (Prompt F)

Annie Pitts
Ms. Molyneaux
English D
May 20, 2014

      As Jean Valjean watches Fantine pass away, he promises to take care of her daughter, Cosette.  As soon as Valjean arrives to take Cosette under his wing he sees a girl wearing "old rags of linen, full of holes."  This girl is Fantine's daughter and Valjean desribes this sight of an emaciated young girl as "a heartbreaking thing, to see this poor child, not yet six years old, shivering in the winter."  The holes in Cosette's rags for clothes represent the holes in her heart yearning for not only a mother figure that treats her better than her foster mother, but also a new start that doesn't include starvation and a lack of stability in her own "home".  This young child does not even know the feeling of love, because her foster parents are so evil to her.  They send her to do chores such as "sweeping the street before daylight, with an enormous broom in her tiny red hands, and a tear in her great eyes."  This quote shows how poorly Cosette was treated before she was rescued by her new father figure Valjean.  Her "tiny red hands" are red because of the brisk cold weather that she is sent to endure chores in and the "tear in her great eyes" shows how miserable she is under these people.  Jean Valjean saves her from this heartbreaking misery when he comes to get her to keep his promise to Fantine.

Evolution of Eponine and Marius's relationship (Prompt C)

Annie Pitts
Ms. Molyneaux
English D
May 20, 2015

      Eponine and Marius have had a complicated relationship since they have known each other.  Marius thinks of Eponine as just a close companion, but Eponine has always wanted more with this hero that she knew deeper than anyone else.  She admires his ambition for the French Revolution, even though his father and him are well off and have no reason to be concerned with the peasant revolution.  Eponine would do anything for Marius, even if that includes helping him fall in love with another girl, Cosette.  It hurts Eponine deeply to see Marius happy with someone else, but at least he is happy.  "To love or have loved is enough," is what Eponine lives by, especially as she is dying in Marius' arm at the barricade.  She loves him, which meant she wishes him the best, and as she is seeing her life pass her, she is happy to have loved even if it isn't mutual.  "No other pearl" would be so satisfying to her as loving Marius is.  "In the dark folds of life," there is nothing more important than love when it comes down to it and Eponine realizes this.  Even though he isn't her's, her love is brave enough and deep enough for Marius to accept his happiness with another woman.

Blog Post #3 Growth of Valjean and Cosette's Relationship (Prompt C)

Morgan Brewster
Ms. Molyneaux
English H per. D
5-7-15
Growth of Cosette and Valjean’s Relationship

In the novel Les Miserables, Jean Valjean begins his story as a detached outcast who is not accepted by anyone because he is labeled as a dangerous criminal. However, when the bishop of D-- shows him acceptance, and he decides to turn his life around and start fresh. While he is known as Mayor Madeleine, he befriends a poor woman named Fantine, and with her daughter Cosette, he learns the importance of love.
His time with Cosette truly changed Valjean, and he “learns to love” (95), as he had never loved another person before. Jean Valjean had saved Cosette from the Thernadiers, and she was forever grateful. They only had each other, and their support for each other was tremendous. It was with great courage that he saved her, and she “gave strength to him” (117). Even though Cosette didn’t know Valjean’s past or why they were always on the run, she still loved him as her own father and they lived a happy life with each other. Valjean knew that she would always be safer with him if she didn’t know the truth, at least until she was old enough. When Marius and Cosette finally learn about Valjean as he is dying, Cosette’s love for her father does not waver and he dies in peace.  

Blog Post #1 - Significant and Symbolic scene for Jean Valjean

Deandra Butler
Ms. Molyneux
H English D
29 April 2015

           Blog Post #1 - Significant and Symbolic scene for Jean Valjean

In the novel, Les Misérables, Jean Valjean is presented as a prisoner that escaped prison during the French Revolution. As he returns to the town of D---, Valjean is rejected from every inn in the village. Out of complete desperation, the former prisoner knocks on one of the town’s resident’s door and proceeds to ask for food and shelter for the night. At first, the peasant did not refuse Valjean and then soon wonders the reason why the local shelters did not take him in for the night. The rejected man lies and answers that all of the inns were fully stocked, with no room for Valjean. Soon the poor man realizes that the man in front of him was “the man!”(10) and instantly yells at him to get away. Jean Valjean then travels into the woods where he finds a straw bed suitable for a night’s sleep. As soon as he lies down on the bed, Valjean hears a mighty growl; he intruded a dog- kennel! Shortly after, the homeless fellow is rejected from the place of an animal; Valjean runs out of the kennel while screaming “I am not even a dog” (11).

In the beginning of this book, this scene is one of the most significant and symbolic events that occurs to the main character, Jean Valjean. As he returned to D---, he was treated like an animal; he was treated like a dog. His criminal record, indicated by his yellow passport, reminds the townspeople of the hazardous potential Valjean carries everywhere with him. In the town of D---, he is shunned and frowned upon by the townspeople. This scene calls the readers to infer that Valjean is going to have to settle in a different region in order to earn a clean name.

--Discussion Questions--April, 28 By Louisa Brackett

April 28th Discussion Notes-

Why does Mayor Madeline go to court and confess he is Jean Valjean? How does this express his “transformation” as described on page 72? Morgan: There was another guy that was accused of being him and he was a convict. He made a new name for himself, then went to confess to save the other guy. Louisa: Due to his newfound moral values, he believes that this isn’t a just act for the other man to suffer through.

Explain the symbolism behind Fantine suddenly dying when she finds out Mayor Madeline is Jean Valjean (pg.104). Annie: He’s someone that he trusted and he turned out to be someone else. Him turning out to be Jean Valjean is not the point, the point is that he isn’t Mayor Madeline which was a strange shock for her. Deandra: She is so saddened because she remains in a deep depression and he looked up to the Mayor as a friend. When she found out he was not who he said he was, it shocked her so much.

Victor Hugo uses the color white to describe Cosette (pg.41), Fantine (pg.96), and Valjean (pg.90). WHat symbolic value does this color bring to the characters? Annie: All three have the same poor and sickly values. White is a sick color that is mentioned with all three of them.  It also shows they are miserable. Louisa: They all have been drained of life at certain times in their life that could resemble the paleness in the color white.

Deandra: How could even become Mayor if he was a criminal? Morgan: After moving towns and changing his ways, it landed him with his own business that made him wealthy. He did really nice things for everybody and donated to the poor that earned him respect of the citizens.

What does Valjean do after he escapes and fakes his death? Morgan: Javert arrests him and then takes him to the prison, escapes from the prison and fake-drowns in the harbor to go and save Cosette (Morgan re-caps for Deandra). Deandra: Because he knew that Fantine had died? Morgan: Yes, because he had promised her that he would take care of Cosette for her. Annie: He takes Cosette away from the scene of the abusive family.

After the questions, we discussed the book more because it was a “meaty point” (Annie) in the book.

Morgan: I was confused at the part when there was some old man stuck under a cart? Javert said someone needs to save him. When Jean Valjean was mayor, he said someone need to save him! And then Javert confesses that he claims to only know one man that is capable of helping the man. I didn’t understand what was going on because it Javert hates Jean Valjean? Annie: That’s in the movie. After being in the French Jail, they had to do a lot for the military because of the French Revolution. They had to have a lot of strength in order to carry out the tasks of building things. So due to their simultaneous imprisonment, Javert knew of the strength that Jean Valjean had.

Cosette Vs. Liesel Blog Post #2 Topic H 24 April 2015

In Les Miserables and The Book Thief, abandoning children and leaving them in the hands of others is an occurring theme in both books. Although there is a completely  different type of care each girl receives, the parents both have faith in ultimate strangers to care for their daughters. Liesel Meminger from The Book Thief  is adopted by another family to seek refuge from poverty and war. In Les Miserables, Fantine leaves Cosette to a family that seems as though it will be a good deal, but they are secretly only taking her in for the money. She seems to be safe from poverty and war, like Liesel, but is not. She is treated completely unjust and eats “with them [cats and dogs] under the table” (167). In The Book Thief, Rosa and Hans Hubberman treat Liesel with respect and dignity and do not hold her against her past or her mother’s actions unlike in Les Miserables. “This woman [Cosette’s foster family] was a formidable creature that only loved her children” (384).  Victor Hugo goes on to explain how this woman is only scared of her husband as well. Cosette’s foster home treats her with such neglect and it is rightfully explained by “certain natures cannot love on the one hand without hating on the other. Mother Thenardier loved her two daughters passionately, which caused her to hate the stranger” (167), which was Cosette. Even though in the Book Thief, Liesel is loved by her new home even more so than her first, it is the same reoccurring theme that lands both girls in new homes. The promise for a better future.

Myriel's Nickname Blog Post #1 Topic G April 17, 2015

In Les Miserables, Myriel, the bishop, is  a simple man even though he has the luxury of living a more lavish lifestyle. Myriel gains the trust of many of his of the poor people in his area. Among them, he develops a nickname that directly symbolizes what he represents to the poor men and women of his area. Literally, this nickname is “Bienvenu” which means “welcome.” This is accurate because he welcomes all to his help and support regardless of financial gain or status.  Figuratively, this “symbol” that represents Myriel explains to the audience about the effect he has on the patients next door in the “hospital” and the parishioners. They explained that “they never call him anything except Monseigneur Bienvenu [Welcome]” (26). Holding him to such a high position really is supported throughout the first book because Myriel is never mentioned by his real name ever again. Bienvenu has such a warm soul that he admits that he ‘’‘weeps for all’ said the Bishop,’’(58) when he was explaining his position on the poor and confronted with difficult questions. Even though his nickname is not a tangible symbol, it symbolizes his placement in society and respect as a bishop. 

Blog Post #2 Significance of Les Miserables (Prompt J)

Annie Pitts

Ms. Molyneaux

H English D

April 28, 2015

                The significance from Les Miserables is pretty evident through the pitiful, miserable lives of Jean Valjean, Fantine, and Cosette.  All three of the thus far introduced characters have been under awful conditions and struggling to survive.  This demonstrates the lives of many peasants during this time in France, since this book was written in an era of the backlash of the French Revolution.

Before Jean Valjean becomes a well-established mayor, he undergoes much maltreatment, treated even worse than dogs in kennels.  When he first is released from prison he is, “dazzled with the idea of liberty,” but soon finds out that his “liberty” only entails as far as his yellow passport will take him(25).  He finds a way out of this seemingly never ending cycle of rejection by leaving town and starting over, but we first see Jean Valjean at his worst and extremely miserable, not even being treated as a man, but as a prison number, 24601.

Fantine is equally as miserable when we meet her.  She is sickly and has a daughter to take care of who lives with foster parents.  Fantine is deeply saddened by both the father deserting her and also being separated from her daughter, although she knows this is the best way for Cosette to grow up, in a fairly stable home.  Fantine’s miserable life of never endlessly paying off the debts to Cosette’s foster parents comes to end when she dies.

Cosette is Fantine’s daughter and is also leading an awful life.  She is constantly ordered around by her foster parents and treated as a slave more than a child.  This mistreatment of Cosette ends, though, when Jean Valjean takes her away with him, raising her on his own.

The lives of all these characters demonstrate a very sad and miserable theme, a perfect fit for the title.  “Les Miserables” literally translates to “the miserable ones” in English, and Cosette, Fantine, and Jean Valjean are very miserable due to hard times and how difficult it is to survive for them. 

Reading Article Reflection

Coming from a family with an incredible love for classic literature, I am no stranger to big books and complex plots. I do admit that I consider myself less of an avid reader as the rest of my family, but I would distinguish myself as a reader who is described in the third point of the “Preformative Literacy in Action” segment, a reader with “willingness to take risks.” I say that because I am not easily intimidated by text font too small, pages too plentiful, and storylines perceived as boring or hard to follow. I don’t believe that I am a fast reader or better interpreter, but I do believe that I can consider myself cultured. An example of this is when I was 10-years-old and my parents had me read All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot. A hefty book, such as this one, really helped me develop the mentality that I could conquer any book.

I completely agree that I read differently depending on the task or subject. In history, for example, I find myself filtering through information just for main points and supporting details. This would never be a strategy to read a novel, nonfiction or fiction. Because it is a novel, details play an important role in the outcome of some circumstances, which calls for more attention and depth. I believe that the ability to recognize and connect the text to outside and personal situations plays a huge role in making me a stronger reader. Connecting text to other text, my life, or society helps me reflect on the reading and dig deeper to truly understand every aspect of it. I believe that the purpose of the reading (whether it be for pleasure or academics)  effects whether or not I am a weak reader. The mentality to completely interpret the material must be recurrently addressed in order for me to put in my best effort.

Strategies, as I have learned, are extremely vital when it comes to literature. English is a unique subject because you can always learn something new from it. In this document, it explains as it’s first and foremost point, that a capacity for sustained focused attention is an “attribute required for the reading of difficult texts.” This is definitely something I can review and practice with my own reading and comprehension. Setting aside and respecting the time I have for complete apprehension will benefit my reading immensely.

Reflecting on my experiences of annotating and taking notes on Things Fall Apart, In the Time of The Butterflies, and Much Ado About Nothing is quite pleasurable because I considered myself a very detailed annotator. I looked for key facts and proposed questions in my head that would be similar to the ones on Mrs. Molyneaux’s quizzes. But I do admit, I leave out one novel on purpose, The Book Thief novel gave me a run for my money and I found myself with very low scores on quizzes. I was able to obtain a core model of the themes quite well, all my good essay grades being on this novel. I struggled with the memorization of details that included symbolism. Although annotating novels was not anywhere close to being a new experience, I found myself lacking in this department for The Book Thief. In result, it made me more or less hate the novel. This experience will help me review and search for details and hidden symbolism while I am reading. This already helped me with In the Time of The Butterflies, so I looking forward to it helping me with my junior year and future writing encounters.

Blog Post #2 Significant Change in Jean Valjean (Prompt B)

Morgan Brewster
Ms. Molyneaux
English H per. D
April 27, 2015

The Significant Change in Jean Valjean

In Les Miserables, Jean Valjean starts off as a well-known criminal just released from prison, and nobody will accept him. However, after his interaction with the bishop of D--, Jean is in fact “another man” (72). The bishop shows him mercy and forgiveness and challenges Jean to turn his life around. Jean moves to M-- sur M---, becomes rich, becomes the mayor, and is very kind to everyone. He goes by the name Mayor Madeleine, and no one knows that he is a former convict. With his new lifestyle and actions, it is obvious that Jean is already changing into another person, and honoring the bishop by doing so.
When Javert comes to Madeleine with shocking news, however, is when he (Jean) truly shows he has changed his ways. Javert tells him that he thought the mayor was actually Jean Valjean, but when he went to the prison, they had another man accused of stealing and was thought to be Jean Valjean. The mayor (Jean) felt very guilty and thought it was his responsibility to save that man and turn himself in during the court session. While in court, Jean admits to being himself, and everyone is astonished, stunned in “sepulchral silence” (90). Jean is doing the right thing to do, by giving himself up and saving the accused man, showing that he has transformed into a better, improved man than he was before.
Also, it is evident that Jean is a changed man when he goes to visit Fantine, the mother of Cosette. Fantine is very sick, and is expecting her child from Jean. However, when Javert comes to arrest Jean in the presence of Fantine, she suddenly dies and Jean is almost heartbroken. He shows his care for her when he “took Fantine’s head in his hands” and “raised it gently, and kissed it” (105). Jean’s respectful actions show that his “transfiguration” was truly meaningful and changed him from the former convict, into an honest and moral man (72).

Discussion #1 notes

Pgs. 1-75 Les Miserables

• Louisa: What is the importance of the people's actions towards the traveler and describe the traveler.
• Deandra: people don't treat him like a human, he isn't accepted
• Morgan: He's very dirty and homeless, he has a yellow passport because he is a high-profile criminal, no one will accept him or let him stay except the bishop
• Louisa: What is the bishop's reaction to the stolen silver and what is the importance of this?
• Morgan: The bishop doesn't get upset and even backs up Jean and lets him keep the silver as a sort of gift, it is important to show that the bishop is really trying to help him out and make him a better person
• Deandra: He also gives him his candle sticks as a generous gift when the soldiers return him to the bishop

Blog Post #1 Significance of Les Miserables (Prompt J)

Morgan Brewster
Ms. Molyneaux
English H per. D
April 17, 2015

Significance of Les Miserables

In the first section of reading in Les Miserables, it is already clear that the title of the novel is very relatable to the characters. In French, Les Miserables means ‘the miserable ones.’ In the beginning of this story, all of the characters introduced are going through rough times in their lives, and they are indeed miserable. The first character introduced is Jean Valjean, a well-known dangerous criminal. Jean has gone through nineteen years of prison for burglary and trying to escape, and when he gets out of prison he is treated horribly by the people of the surrounding town. No one will accept him, except for the bishop of D--.
Another character experiencing troubles is Cosette. When Cosette is introduced, her mother, Fantine, is giving her away to stay with the Thenardiers because she cannot afford to take care of her. The Thenardiers are very cruel to Cosette, and she is in fact miserable. She is fed “a little better than the dog, and a little worse than the cat… Cosette ate with them under the table in a wooden dish” (46). She is also  working as their maid by the age of five, which is very cruel and unusual treatment for a child of such young age. Overall, the title Les Miserables is very significant and suits the characters very well with their harsh lifestyles.

Reading Article Reflection

Annie Pitts

Ms. Molyneaux

H English D

April 15, 2015

                Reading used to come along easily for me as a young child without the many distractions of my high speed surroundings and other priorities.  However to be a good reader requires full attention and willingness to give full effort and time into analyzing the text.

                Throughout my years as a high school student I have gotten into the habit of blowing off reading assignments and rarely participating in class due to both indifference towards my reading and fear of speaking in class discussions.  To become a stronger reader I need to keep up with my reading assignments and become more focused on what I am actually reading. Monitoring my progress and understanding of plots, themes, and ideas as I read will better help me to also speak up during class discussions and have the courage to back my ideas up with textual evidence.

                I would say I read differently depending on the task at hand.  For example I usually will read the questions first then look at main ideas to answer those questions.  For novels I read in order obviously since the storyline is meant to go that way.  My reading strategies and test taking skills are strong, but my downfall is time management.

                In my experience from this year I have learned how to analyze text more especially by identifying symbols and motifs throughout novels.  My annotations were stronger and more helpful come time of writing a paper than last year.  Cornell notes, on the other hand, kind of made reading more of a drag and less enjoyable since it felt much more like an assignment than reading for knowledge and ideas, so I didn’t like that all that much.

                Overall this article reminded me of the importance of paying attention and actually understanding your reading.  This comes along with time management also, because the more time you give yourself to absorb the material, the better analyzing and understanding of the text you will have. 

Reading Article Reflection

Morgan Brewster
Ms. Molyneaux
English H per. D
April 15, 2015

Reading Article Reflection

Usually, when I read it is because I have to for school. Some subjects are easier to read for, while others can be more difficult. I am a better reader when I am reading about something I’m interested in, and when I am forced to be reading something I don’t do as well. Some reading strategies I can take away from the reflection could be to be better prepared if there is something I don’t understand in my reading, like having a dictionary ready or take notes when I have questions about something confusing in the text. Also, annotating really helps, even though most of the time I am too rushed or too lazy to take notes in my reading. I could also start to re-read the text I’m expected to read when I don’t understand something, instead of just guessing and ignoring it. I've annotated in novels for school in the past, but annotating in the novels we've read this year in class has really helped my reading more than before. Although I didn't annotate that often, when I did it really helped me understand the reading and also helped me with finding important details I needed when I wrote my papers. I mostly lacked focus when I was reading, and so I didn't have very good annotations. However, I did find that annotating, taking notes, and really trying hard to pay attention and understand the material improved my reading the most this year. 

Blog Prompts

Blog Post Topics (Respond to 1 of the prompts below each week):

A.            Select a significant quotation from your reading; explore the significance of that quotation to the development of characters, conflict, theme, etc.

B.            Explore a significant change in an important character.

C.           Explore a significant relationship’s conflicts or growth.

D.           Write about a motif you see developing--where have you noticed it? What does it seem to be revealing about characters or themes?

E.            Explore the significance of a particular setting (not of the whole novel--pick a specific scene).

F.            Explore the significance of a passage with a lot of imagery or description.

G.           Write about a symbol--how does it exist both literally and figuratively? What does it represent?

H.           Explore connections between your book and something you’ve read previously in English class.

I.              Explore connections between the text and your own life.

J.            What is the significance of the book’s title? What does it reveal about the main characters, conflicts, or themes?