The main takeaway for me from this chapter is the idea of multiplicity. It's mentioned over and over again in several different contexts: multiplicity of oughts, multiplicity of goods, multiplicity of communication ethics, multiplicity of narratives, etc. As this is the topic for my in-class presentation, I've decided to focus on this theme of multiplicity within the field of communication ethics. Think about it - ethical questions are directly connected to questions of identity and no one person has the exact same identity as another person. Thus, multiplicity of identities leads to multiplicity of goods, things that people believe in and hold to (like right and wrong). Like the book says, with this many goods floating around there is bound to be competition for allegiance in the public sphere (p. 26).
The chain continues: Multiplicity of identities leads to multiplicity of goods. Multiplicity of goods leads to multiplicity of communication ethics. When talking specifically about the development of a communication ethic, the book states that communication ethics arise from understanding a good within a narrative structure (p. 26). With so many goods and communication ethics swirling around, it is important to consider that the key piece of ethical communication is respectfulness. There really are no universal goods or value neutrality because everyone holds different beliefs and values. Communication ethics revolves around the idea of multiplicity and, thus, the idea of respect. That's the ethical part. That's basically the definition I gleaned: communication ethics is the ability to recognize multiplicity of goods and to respect those different beliefs. It is the recognition that we take a given philosophy of communication, an understanding of the good, and apply it in interaction with others (p. 32).
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Les Miserables Pt.1
At the very beginning
when all the labors were singing “look down”, Javert was standing at the very
top of the ship and showing his power and social status to everyone. When
Javert was telling Jean Valjean that he is free from now on, Javert told Jean
Valjean to not forget him and he will watch him rest of his life even though he
can just send Jean Valjean without any threat. When Jean Valjean was trying to
find a job or a place to sleep, no one allowed him anything because his paper
was showing that he is a dangerous man. Even kids threw rocks to him and treat
him like an insect.
However, only preacher
treated him like a human and let him stay in church and feed him. Even though
the preacher did Jean Valjean a favor, he stole silvers from the church. When Jean
Valjean get caught by police officers, the preacher told police men that he
gave those silvers to Jean Valjean and gave him candlesticks too. The preacher
treated Jean Valjean with full respect. When Fantine was working in a factory,
all other co-workers were jealous and sarcastic at Fantine because the owner
only cares about her. When Jean Valjean found Fantine in harbor, je tried to
help here when other people tried to punish her. Jean Valjean took Fantine to a
doctor even tough she spit on his face.
Blog post #1 Les Miserbles/ Communication Ethics
I found The movie Les Miserables to be very intriguing when I thought of it in the eyes of communication. I was thrown back by how much I was able to pull away from the film in regards to, People and communication, Status levels and how they were portrayed in the film, as well as, how power was almost seen as a bad thing.
As I sat and realized how informative this film was I began to take in things. The first major thing I realized right away was the power struggle that was taking place. All of Characters were great at depicting their status level and it even came out right in the first scene. Javert is looking over all of the prisoners and he is on a large docking station for ships. All the men under him were prisoners and had to pull a boat in by giant ropes. They were dirty, hairy, as well as worn down with dingy clothing.
In the film it was very noticeable how communication between status levels. When all the women in the factory found out Fantine had a child they were very rude and treated her like trash. She then had to stoup as low as to become a prostitute. As she dropped in status her communication was becoming almost extinct. She was not permitted to talk when she was confronted by a rude man and the inspector Javert. They were going to jail her without even asking her what her side of the story was. Jean Valjean is now Mayor of the town and is convinced he knows her. Her hair was different then when she was banished from his factory by the cruel women. Communication was almost missing for the lower class community. While Javert was riding through the entrance of the town he did not say a word to any of the peasants and they knew not to talk to him.
Lastly I would like to address the fact that we often times run into. Power was beginning to show anger. As we see the power in the town was being corroded by the aggressive and dirty policing by Javert. He shows us that he is the best and how dare any person challenge that. Well in communication we learn how destructive this formula may be for lower class or minority. Communication can be very hard when one feels less of a person or that their opinion does not matter.
The movie was great at showing aspects of communication. Some harder to pick up than others but It was a good depiction of how society truly is.
As I sat and realized how informative this film was I began to take in things. The first major thing I realized right away was the power struggle that was taking place. All of Characters were great at depicting their status level and it even came out right in the first scene. Javert is looking over all of the prisoners and he is on a large docking station for ships. All the men under him were prisoners and had to pull a boat in by giant ropes. They were dirty, hairy, as well as worn down with dingy clothing.
In the film it was very noticeable how communication between status levels. When all the women in the factory found out Fantine had a child they were very rude and treated her like trash. She then had to stoup as low as to become a prostitute. As she dropped in status her communication was becoming almost extinct. She was not permitted to talk when she was confronted by a rude man and the inspector Javert. They were going to jail her without even asking her what her side of the story was. Jean Valjean is now Mayor of the town and is convinced he knows her. Her hair was different then when she was banished from his factory by the cruel women. Communication was almost missing for the lower class community. While Javert was riding through the entrance of the town he did not say a word to any of the peasants and they knew not to talk to him.
Lastly I would like to address the fact that we often times run into. Power was beginning to show anger. As we see the power in the town was being corroded by the aggressive and dirty policing by Javert. He shows us that he is the best and how dare any person challenge that. Well in communication we learn how destructive this formula may be for lower class or minority. Communication can be very hard when one feels less of a person or that their opinion does not matter.
The movie was great at showing aspects of communication. Some harder to pick up than others but It was a good depiction of how society truly is.
Les Mis Blogger Oner
Well first off I would like to say that a lot of the messages anyone is trying to communicate would be tough to receive because off all the singing - realistically. Another thing, involving the singing, at the beginning when the prisoners were singing about being imprisoned and having to do hard labor in front of the guards of the French Military. Enough of the singing.
One thing that really struck me as a ethically wrong choice to make would be to not talk to your boss about being fired, specifically Hathaway's character. If the job were really important for her child and her self, would she really give up and not try to keep the job she already had? Giving herself physically just to make a living is a large sacrifice - but one not needed to be made when the good she could do would be to get the job back at her old place or any job similar looking for her skill set.
I know it is shown in the movie to show how desperate she was and it wouldn't seem as appealing to watch if she actually did get her job back. You know, because we would have one less story to follow.
Another one, was when Jackman's character did not confess to being prisoner 24601. He assumed (and was in the right mind to do so) that if he were to tell Crowe's character that he was the 24601 that he would be severely punished. Since he had escaped his parol. Telling a lie is generally not good, but telling one to save your new life or just your life in general may seem to be justified.
One thing that really struck me as a ethically wrong choice to make would be to not talk to your boss about being fired, specifically Hathaway's character. If the job were really important for her child and her self, would she really give up and not try to keep the job she already had? Giving herself physically just to make a living is a large sacrifice - but one not needed to be made when the good she could do would be to get the job back at her old place or any job similar looking for her skill set.
I know it is shown in the movie to show how desperate she was and it wouldn't seem as appealing to watch if she actually did get her job back. You know, because we would have one less story to follow.
Another one, was when Jackman's character did not confess to being prisoner 24601. He assumed (and was in the right mind to do so) that if he were to tell Crowe's character that he was the 24601 that he would be severely punished. Since he had escaped his parol. Telling a lie is generally not good, but telling one to save your new life or just your life in general may seem to be justified.
Blog 1: Le Mis
In the film Le Miserables examples of communication ethics can easily be spotted throughout it's entirety. The film illustrates the difference in social classes specifically the contrast between the rich and the poor during the French Revolution.
In class, we defined communication as transmitting a message, an interaction, or an exchange of ideas just to name a few possibilities. It is interesting to view how the exchange between characters plays out in the film. Ethics have to do with how a person communicates based on their moral code. One of the first examples of this we see in the film is when Jean Valjean spends the night at the church. He greedily takes silver from the church and runs off with the stolen goods. The Bishop has the authority to ruin Valjean and severely punish him for his actions by sending him back to prison. But, when Valjean is returned to the church after being caught the bishop goes along with his lie that the silver was given to him and then gives Valjean more silver saying that he must make himself a better man with the money he gets from the silver. The Bishop saw how much Valjean's time as a prisoner affected him and knew that he would likely starve or return as a prisoner if he did not lie about the silver. In this situation the Bishop saw that lying about the silver was more ethically right in order to save Valjean from more crime and poverty since it was nearly impossible to work with a criminal record.
Valjean then destroys his papers and changes his identity to make a better life for himself. In that instance he realized that breaking the law in order to help himself and others was more morally correct because the benefits outweighed the risks.
In this first part of the film we see that communication choices can greatly affect the outcome of someone's life so we need to be cautious to make the best ethical decision even if it is not the most popular route.
In class, we defined communication as transmitting a message, an interaction, or an exchange of ideas just to name a few possibilities. It is interesting to view how the exchange between characters plays out in the film. Ethics have to do with how a person communicates based on their moral code. One of the first examples of this we see in the film is when Jean Valjean spends the night at the church. He greedily takes silver from the church and runs off with the stolen goods. The Bishop has the authority to ruin Valjean and severely punish him for his actions by sending him back to prison. But, when Valjean is returned to the church after being caught the bishop goes along with his lie that the silver was given to him and then gives Valjean more silver saying that he must make himself a better man with the money he gets from the silver. The Bishop saw how much Valjean's time as a prisoner affected him and knew that he would likely starve or return as a prisoner if he did not lie about the silver. In this situation the Bishop saw that lying about the silver was more ethically right in order to save Valjean from more crime and poverty since it was nearly impossible to work with a criminal record.
Valjean then destroys his papers and changes his identity to make a better life for himself. In that instance he realized that breaking the law in order to help himself and others was more morally correct because the benefits outweighed the risks.
In this first part of the film we see that communication choices can greatly affect the outcome of someone's life so we need to be cautious to make the best ethical decision even if it is not the most popular route.
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Post 1 - Les Miserables
In the first part of the movie, Les Miserables, communication ethics was illustrated in various ways. A simple definition of communication ethics that the class came up during lecture could be put as the right or wrong way of transmitting a message or interacting between two or more persons.
One example of this happening throughout the movie was the interaction between Jean and Javert. When Jean was labeled as a criminal, he was treated horribly, especially by Javert. But when Jean became a mayor and changed his identity, Javert treated Jean's new identity with respect. The interactions between Javert and the two different identities of Jean are completely opposites. It shows how power plays a large role in communication ethics. Those with more power (or higher status), like Javert, feel that they can treat those who have less power or status, like Jean the criminal, disrespectfully or in a mean manner. This is not ethically right, but this sort of interaction happens throughout the movie. But since Jean the mayor had equal, if not more power than Javert, Javert treated him as an equal with respect, even though he may not have agreed with some of Jean the mayor's actions.
Another example are the interactions between Fantine and the women factory workers. Their interactions seemed to be just fine -- they are all there to work, the don't have to be friends --before they had found out she had a baby outside of wedlock. But once they found that out, they were mean and judged her. They were trying to communicate that because she had a baby, she was a bad person and would cause trouble, and they did all of this in front of everyone in that building, even though none of this may not be true. They communicated this message well enough to the foreman and he fired her. The right way to communicate this message would have been for the ladies to talk to the foreman privately, and he privately with Fantine.
One example of this happening throughout the movie was the interaction between Jean and Javert. When Jean was labeled as a criminal, he was treated horribly, especially by Javert. But when Jean became a mayor and changed his identity, Javert treated Jean's new identity with respect. The interactions between Javert and the two different identities of Jean are completely opposites. It shows how power plays a large role in communication ethics. Those with more power (or higher status), like Javert, feel that they can treat those who have less power or status, like Jean the criminal, disrespectfully or in a mean manner. This is not ethically right, but this sort of interaction happens throughout the movie. But since Jean the mayor had equal, if not more power than Javert, Javert treated him as an equal with respect, even though he may not have agreed with some of Jean the mayor's actions.
Another example are the interactions between Fantine and the women factory workers. Their interactions seemed to be just fine -- they are all there to work, the don't have to be friends --before they had found out she had a baby outside of wedlock. But once they found that out, they were mean and judged her. They were trying to communicate that because she had a baby, she was a bad person and would cause trouble, and they did all of this in front of everyone in that building, even though none of this may not be true. They communicated this message well enough to the foreman and he fired her. The right way to communicate this message would have been for the ladies to talk to the foreman privately, and he privately with Fantine.
Communication Ethics Literacy
I was surprised at my interest in the book. I was nervous to start reading because I thought for sure I would be asleep within 5 minutes because most Comm books are just so dry and awful. The topics they choose and examples that they call on are very relevant to us and now and I find that to be very helpful, especially when it comes to defining or narrowing the definition of 'Communication Ethics' because it is so broad. The specific examples of Les Mis that were used were a perfect connection between in-class material and the text, they really helped the material to sink in. I found the part where the concept of "good" was connected to ethics particularly interesting because "good" is subjective to each individual person. This is something we are also currently discussing in my Intercultural Re-Entry Communications class in terms of cultural norms and values. Just because someone thinks something is right doesn't necessarily mean it is or isn't, it is primarily based on the cultural norms that pertain to the specific setting in which you are questioning the ethics of situation or action etc. Needless to say, this chapter made a lot of connections for me and that helped to really retain the information and keep me focused.
Post #1: Les Mis
The concept of communication ethics is a very interesting one to apply to Les Miseables. In the section we watched there are a few very clear examples of comm ethics but I think the most obviousand most compelling example is that of Javert and Jean Valjean. Javert treats Jean like crap when he is a prisoner because, well he's a prisoner and a criminal. The entire song they sing at the beginning is about looking away from the guards. You can see a clear example of the class differences within comm ethics when the prisoners aren't even supposed to look the guards in the eye. You can also clearly see it by the way Javert treats Jean and how he refuses to call him anything other than by his prisoner number. Then later on when Javert meets Jean Valjean as the mayor of the city he treats him with the utmost respect and tact. It is clear that Javert treats different with differing levels of respect based on their class or status.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Blog 1: Les Misérables
First of all, communication can be defined as an interaction
in more than two parties, transmission of a message and morals, right vs. wrong
could be ethics. Communication ethics play out well in this film, Les Misérables,
especially relationship power and status on communication.
The beginning of the film, the way Javert treats Jean
Valjean just got released from prison shows how the power and social status affect
to communication. The scene that Javert keeps calling Valjean prisoner number
rather that his name and ordering him to lift extremely heavy flag shows
unethical and disrespectful of Javert toward to Veljean. Javert uses his power
and higher social status on his unethical and unreasonable actions. In the
later of this movie, I could find the Javert’s attitude toward to Valjean as a
town mayor has been changed. The way Javert treats Valjean is more respectful
because Valjean has higher power than Javert. These situations shows how power
and social status impact on communication ethics.
Another example of communication ethics that I found in Les Misérables
was the way Bishop deals with a situation. He invited Jean Valjean to his house
and provided him food and shelter even though he has higher power than Jean
Valjean. Besides, when Jean Valjean got in trouble with the police, Bishop lied
to the police that Jean Valjean did not steal from church and even told Valjean
that he forgot candlesticks. The guards believe Bishop without any doubt
because of his social status. Bishop uses his power and status to be good and for
the right things while Javert is lack of ethics.
Blog Two: Commnication Ethics Literacy
After reading the Preface and Chapter One of the text, I have to say that I really like the way the book is laid out, and how they teach from a view that encourages practical application and incorporation of concepts into real life rather than just passively feeding the reader information in a dry way. The tone of the text seems to promote the generation and discussion of multiple ideas instead of just "talking at you" as so many textbooks seem to do. I also like how they use concrete examples from Les Mis at the end of the chapter to help illustrate the concepts that the chapter focuses on. The idea of "good" in relation to ethics is interesting. As the text points out, we often forget that we all have individual ideas of what is "good." We all have our own moral codes which guide us, and we must learn how to see the morals that guide others, respect different opinions, and use this knowledge to improve communication in a fast paced world where ideas and values are malleable and ever changing.
Blog Post 2: Chapter 1 - Pragmatic Necessity of Comm. Ethics
One of the overarching themes present in Chapter One was the idea of consensus, or rather a lack thereof, within the current era of communication. This is something that I'm particularly interested in and would argue is completely and utterly true. Just as Arnett et al. state on page one, communication today has little to do with reaching consensus about what is right or wrong. There are so many definitions and beliefs about what those things truly are that arguing and debating over nuances would be counterproductive and entirely destructive. What's more important is the idea of negotiating difference together. We need to get over this idea that difference is bad and that being different has horribly negative consequences. Like the chapter says, we live in an era of postmodernity wherein disagreement runs rampant. There is a lack of confidence in one universal sense of "good". Right and wrong or good and bad are no longer a given reality. There is a fear that nonconformity will damage the world we choose to live in, that people who don't match our definition of good or right will somehow wreak havoc on our personal reality that we've created for ourselves. In all honesty, it ends up being us that wreak the havoc out of fear of the "oncoming storm" of difference. I would agree wholeheartedly with Arnett et al. in that we must learn about and from diversity in order to live harmoniously within our shared world because it is, after all, shared.
On a side note, I found that Arnett et al.'s theory of habitues (taken from Aristotle) sounds familiar to bell hook's idea of "habits of mind". Just a thought.
On a side note, I found that Arnett et al.'s theory of habitues (taken from Aristotle) sounds familiar to bell hook's idea of "habits of mind". Just a thought.
Blog 1 - Les Mis
There are a few dynamics of communication ethics that are going on in the movie Les Miserables. The communication between characters revolves heavily around social status. There are hierarchies in place which drives the way people communicate with each other.
I have not watched the whole movie, however Jean Valjean and Javert have an interesting relationship so far. They have a history however Javert is not quite sure of it when Valjean has become a new man, and the mayor of a small town. When Valjean was a prisoner, Javert treated him very poorly, like an animal, and couldn't look him in the eye. This goes for all prisoners and ex-prisoners. Cops and business owners would always ask to see their papers and have no sympathy for them. However, Valjean changes his life around after he meets a priest that changes his life. Instead of using communication ethics revolved around power and social status, the priest has more empathy and morals that he follows. He treats Valjean like a regular human being in hopes that he becomes in honest man. After receiving the sympathy and compassion from the priest, Valjean decides to turn his life around. Once Valjean is mayor, Javert completely does not recognize him at first. Although, he notices some similarities, Javert communicates with Valjean with respect because he is perceived to be of a higher social status than he once was.
Meanwhile, Fantine is a woman that works at Valjean's factory and is fired once everyone else finds out she has an illegitimate child. They think she will cause "trouble" in the future and she's kicked to the curb. The town they live in is quite poor and she results to selling everything she has, including herself. The red light district seems to become her new home and she does not like it. Everyone else treats her very poorly because of her current conditions and the way she sells herself. Others didn't respect her, thus leading her not to respect herself either. However, Valjean notices that she worked in his factory and has some sympathy. He does not let his social status cloud his thought of her being sick and treating her correctly at the hospital. He communicates with courage although everyone seemed to be against his decisions. I find that he may have sympathy because he was once treated that way and knows that isn't right.
I have not watched the whole movie, however Jean Valjean and Javert have an interesting relationship so far. They have a history however Javert is not quite sure of it when Valjean has become a new man, and the mayor of a small town. When Valjean was a prisoner, Javert treated him very poorly, like an animal, and couldn't look him in the eye. This goes for all prisoners and ex-prisoners. Cops and business owners would always ask to see their papers and have no sympathy for them. However, Valjean changes his life around after he meets a priest that changes his life. Instead of using communication ethics revolved around power and social status, the priest has more empathy and morals that he follows. He treats Valjean like a regular human being in hopes that he becomes in honest man. After receiving the sympathy and compassion from the priest, Valjean decides to turn his life around. Once Valjean is mayor, Javert completely does not recognize him at first. Although, he notices some similarities, Javert communicates with Valjean with respect because he is perceived to be of a higher social status than he once was.
Meanwhile, Fantine is a woman that works at Valjean's factory and is fired once everyone else finds out she has an illegitimate child. They think she will cause "trouble" in the future and she's kicked to the curb. The town they live in is quite poor and she results to selling everything she has, including herself. The red light district seems to become her new home and she does not like it. Everyone else treats her very poorly because of her current conditions and the way she sells herself. Others didn't respect her, thus leading her not to respect herself either. However, Valjean notices that she worked in his factory and has some sympathy. He does not let his social status cloud his thought of her being sick and treating her correctly at the hospital. He communicates with courage although everyone seemed to be against his decisions. I find that he may have sympathy because he was once treated that way and knows that isn't right.
Post 1: Les Mis
The importance of communication ethics in the first section of Les Mis is evident in nearly every scene. The most obvious case is that of Jean Valjean, the main protagonist who has made the difficult choice of escaping his parole, which breaks the law and moral code, but devotes his life to being a good leader and helping others when he can. One must decide if this is morally acceptable because the punishment for his crime may seem like overkill and he has turned over a new leaf, or if the most important thing is the fact that he is a criminal and is ultimately breaking the law. He is also about to face a decision between freeing an innocent man by incriminating himself, or condemning him to a life of imprisonment and going free himself.
This is not only an issue for Valjean, but also for Inspector Javert. Javert has never forgotten Valjean and realizes who he is, but he is now his superior and ultimately breaks his own moral and authoritative code to investigate. It does not seem to matter to him that the man he thinks is Valjean seems to be a decent person who puts others before himself. Valjert is more concerned with the fact that he feels he has been fooled or wronged and he wants revenge. He seems to put the law and his own work above any other type of moral code or conscious.
And finally in this section there is the case of Fantine. Fantine is a woman who works hard to support her daughter but it never seems to be enough. She does not yet know she is being fooled by those who care for her daughter and so she tries to hide her situation to provide for her. She ultimately (and unfairly) loses her job and must make the difficult decision to break her own moral and ethical code and briefly becomes a prostitute in order to send the money Cosette needs. This is a traumatic experience and decision for her, but she feels that her daughter's health and well being is most important, even though it ultimately puts her life in danger.
This is not only an issue for Valjean, but also for Inspector Javert. Javert has never forgotten Valjean and realizes who he is, but he is now his superior and ultimately breaks his own moral and authoritative code to investigate. It does not seem to matter to him that the man he thinks is Valjean seems to be a decent person who puts others before himself. Valjert is more concerned with the fact that he feels he has been fooled or wronged and he wants revenge. He seems to put the law and his own work above any other type of moral code or conscious.
And finally in this section there is the case of Fantine. Fantine is a woman who works hard to support her daughter but it never seems to be enough. She does not yet know she is being fooled by those who care for her daughter and so she tries to hide her situation to provide for her. She ultimately (and unfairly) loses her job and must make the difficult decision to break her own moral and ethical code and briefly becomes a prostitute in order to send the money Cosette needs. This is a traumatic experience and decision for her, but she feels that her daughter's health and well being is most important, even though it ultimately puts her life in danger.
Blog 1: Les Mis
How does communication ethics play out in the film?
Throughout the first part of Les Miserables, we see all sorts of communication ethics play out. In class we talked about how communication is transmitting a message, interaction with others, exchange of ideas, and there are many other possibilities. Ethics we defined as morals, what is right and wrong, respect, civility and integrity. The first type of communication ethic that I saw in the film was at the very beginning, with the song "Look Down". With Javert standing up above them and watching them work, this is a prime example of who has power and higher status. It was interesting that the slaves were called by numbers instead of their names as well; for example, Jean Valjean was called "24601". Calling slaves by numbers instead of their names shows that Javert, and the other guards, are very impersonal and unethical.
The other example of communication ethics that we saw in the first part of the film was when the Bishop took Valjean into his home. Although the Bishop clearly has more to offer and is of higher status than Valjean, he did what was ethical and let him into his home. However, before anyone woke up Valjean took all of his silver and decided to run. The Valjean ran into his next problem, the guards found him and brought him back to the Bishop's home, where the Bishop let him off easy and told him that he forgot the candlesticks. It is clear in the film that the Bishop is working for the greater good and wanting to do the right thing.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Blog 1 Les Mis
One scene that I was really interested in was when Jean Valjean is in the church after stealing the silver and being caught. The reason for this is the many layers of communication ethics that take place. One is the relationship between the pastor and Jean, another is the soldiers and the pastor and with Jean. The Pastor is really the one man that truly has to navigate the many layers, since he even has one more level of communication and morals that he needs to adhere to, his communication and relationship with God and the church. What struck me though was how little all of this mattered to the pastor as he quickly agreed to the lie in order to save Jean, even adding more to his loot. In this class we are going to study many of the motivations behind peoples choices on how, when, and what to say when they speak and how to follow some basic ethical rules. Yet the Pastor quickly and almost seamlessly passed through these levels and thoughts in order to save Jean's life.
The Pastor has to take many factors into account when he is making this snap decision. His moral code with God, (whether to lie or condemn a man to slavery or death, a decision difficult within itself), then their is his responsibilities to the social contract that he has when living in France (basically to adhere to its laws, and not harbor a criminal) and finally his own personal code of morals and ethics. In the end while the decision can be broadened to all of these aspects, the one that I think truly chose to guide him was his relationship with God, since a mans life is more valuable that the loaf of bread (in this case the silver) he steals to feed his family. As long as the pastor says and I am paraphrasing from the movie here that he uses the silver to become a new more honorable man. In the end this scene is amazing to me, since we see how one mans navigation of communication ethics can drastically change someones life, and that at times the choices we make hold that power, so it is important to act in the best possible way.
The Pastor has to take many factors into account when he is making this snap decision. His moral code with God, (whether to lie or condemn a man to slavery or death, a decision difficult within itself), then their is his responsibilities to the social contract that he has when living in France (basically to adhere to its laws, and not harbor a criminal) and finally his own personal code of morals and ethics. In the end while the decision can be broadened to all of these aspects, the one that I think truly chose to guide him was his relationship with God, since a mans life is more valuable that the loaf of bread (in this case the silver) he steals to feed his family. As long as the pastor says and I am paraphrasing from the movie here that he uses the silver to become a new more honorable man. In the end this scene is amazing to me, since we see how one mans navigation of communication ethics can drastically change someones life, and that at times the choices we make hold that power, so it is important to act in the best possible way.
Blog 1: Les Miserables
How communication ethics plays out in the film?
It didn't take long into the film to see the impact status and power had on communication ethics. In the opening of the film we see how Javert talks to Jean Valjean. Because Javert is an officer and Jean Valjean is a prisoner, Javert displays his authority over the prisioners referring to them by numbers rather than their name. Javert does not care what the prisoners have to say and orders them around with no regard. Javert knows that he has complete control over the prisoners and makes sure the prisoners understand that as he orders them around, in particular when he tells Jean Valjean to retrieve the flag by himself. As the movie continues you see a complete switch in the way Javert addresses Jean Valjean.
Eight years later in the film, Jean Valjean has created a new identity as Monsieur Madeleine, a mayor of a small town. Unfortuantely for Jean Valjean, Officer Javert arrives to his town for patrol. Javert does not recognize the mayor as Jean Valjean and talks to him with great respect. When Javert and Jean Valjean are talking, it is easy to see that Javert is more accepting to Jean Valjean, and understands that the mayor has more authority than himself.
It didn't take long into the film to see the impact status and power had on communication ethics. In the opening of the film we see how Javert talks to Jean Valjean. Because Javert is an officer and Jean Valjean is a prisoner, Javert displays his authority over the prisioners referring to them by numbers rather than their name. Javert does not care what the prisoners have to say and orders them around with no regard. Javert knows that he has complete control over the prisoners and makes sure the prisoners understand that as he orders them around, in particular when he tells Jean Valjean to retrieve the flag by himself. As the movie continues you see a complete switch in the way Javert addresses Jean Valjean.
Eight years later in the film, Jean Valjean has created a new identity as Monsieur Madeleine, a mayor of a small town. Unfortuantely for Jean Valjean, Officer Javert arrives to his town for patrol. Javert does not recognize the mayor as Jean Valjean and talks to him with great respect. When Javert and Jean Valjean are talking, it is easy to see that Javert is more accepting to Jean Valjean, and understands that the mayor has more authority than himself.
Blog 1 - Les Mis
As discussed in class, ethical communication is prevalent through power, status, and
objectives and is clearly represented in the film Les Misérables.
Within the film, it is apparent that there are multiple levels of power displayed
between characters. These particular types of power differences play a large
role in the way communication ethics are conveyed by each character. A prime
example of power difference is in the beginning of the movie regarding the
relationship between Jean Valjean and Javert. As it is known, Javert holds a high
position within the law which is connected to maintaining justice, yet the demonstration of Javert’s actions and treatment towards Jean
Valjean’s miniscule offense of stealing bread for his family can be seen as
contradictory. While I believe that it is right to serve punishment for a
criminal offense, I also believe it to be wrong to treat a criminal unjustly in
the way that Javert treats Jean Valjean. To be more specific, Javert refers to
Jean Valjean by the number 24601 instead of his name. Power can also be used
towards ethical conflict with a more positive and constructive approach. For example,
the Bishop of Digne displays compassion towards Jean Valjean’s by inviting him
in from the cold and providing him with shelter, food and warmth. Despite Jean
Valjean’s desperate act of stealing from the church, the Bishop saves him from punishment
and releases him to be good and do well in his life.
Status of an individual also plays a large role in the way
that communication ethics are conveyed in the film Les Misérables. For example, the status of Fantine can be characterized
as poor, desperate, and disadvantaged. That being said, the manner that others
communicate with her, such as the women and the foreman in the factory,
portrays her to be a less significant than they. They treat her with disrespect
and the foreman even attempts to fondle Fantine while she is working. Furthermore,
Fantine is let go from her position at the factory most likely due to the level
of status that the factory women and foreman have labeled her as. This
unfortunately leads her to face desperate measures and become a prostitute to
where she is treated even lesser of a person and more of like an object.
The objective of each character clearly varies by power and
status and is useful in determining types of communication ethics used. Fantine
is driven by her objective of providing money for her sick child so she results
in cutting her hair, selling her teeth, and becoming a prostitute. These acts
can result in a loss of respect and integrity for oneself and others. She then
encounters Jean Valjean in the streets and as she recognizes who he is, she
blames him for her troubles and proceeds to spit in his face despite the fact
that he is the mayor. This clearly represents a change in Fantine's
communication ethics towards Jean Valjean caused by her challenging and unmet
objective. In addition to objectives used, Jean Valjean upholds his commitment
to starting a better life and helping those in need by taking Fantine to the
hospital despite her recent disrespectful behavior because he sees that she is
in clear need of medical assistance.
As it is clear, there are different spectrums portrayed concerning
communication ethics relating to power, status, and objective between characters
within the movie of Les Misérables.
Communication Ethics in Les Mis
Communication ethics is a complex concept that focuses on how a person interacts or transmits a message while considering several factors such as morals, respect or empathy. In Les Miserable, there is a presence and lack of communication ethics depending upon the character. This lack or presence of communication ethics is strongly dependent upon the person's status. There are several examples when characters of a higher status treat and speak to people of a lower status with a lack of respect and civility. In Les Miserable, status is one of the governing factors in how characters interact.
In the beginning of the movie, Jean Valjean is a prisoner of France because he had to steal bread in order to feed his family. He has been serving for many years when he is released on parole. Before he is allowed to leave, Officer Javert summons him. Javert makes Jean Valjean lift up the flag that is incredibly heavy for one man to lift ,especially when the person is incredibly weak. Javert knows that this task is unreasonably and somewhat cruel, but he uses his higher status to execute the command before Jean Valjean is released. Javert is lacking any sort of empathy or compassion for Jean Valjean because Javert sees Jean Valjean as a person of low to no status and therefore, he doesn't feel the need to treat such a person with compassion or empathy. Even when after Jean Valjean carries the flag and is ready to be released, Javert speaks to Jean Valjean lacking any sort of civility. Jean Valjean tries to tell Javert why he was in prison, but Javert has no empathy for why he committed the crime, he only sees Jean Valjean as a criminal and communicates with him as such.
Later on in the movie, Jean Valjean has escaped his parole and is living in a town where he is a now a mayor and a man of great respect. In a strange turn of event, Javert is called to the town to help with issues going on and Jean Valjean and Javert are forced to meet again. It has been several years and Javert does not recognize Jean Valjean. Instead of seeing Jean Valjean as the criminal he was previously, Javert sees a man of high status and treats him as such. This change in interaction shows how Javert governs his interaction based upon a person's status. Even though Jean Valjean knows who Javert is, he still continues to use empathy and his morals, regardless of their status, to help guide his interaction even at the risk of being discovered. In Les Miserable, Jean Valjean and Javert are two opposite characters in the way they use communication ethics. For Jean Valjean, he treats everyone with the respect and empathy they deserve while Javert decides his interaction upon a person's social status.
In the beginning of the movie, Jean Valjean is a prisoner of France because he had to steal bread in order to feed his family. He has been serving for many years when he is released on parole. Before he is allowed to leave, Officer Javert summons him. Javert makes Jean Valjean lift up the flag that is incredibly heavy for one man to lift ,especially when the person is incredibly weak. Javert knows that this task is unreasonably and somewhat cruel, but he uses his higher status to execute the command before Jean Valjean is released. Javert is lacking any sort of empathy or compassion for Jean Valjean because Javert sees Jean Valjean as a person of low to no status and therefore, he doesn't feel the need to treat such a person with compassion or empathy. Even when after Jean Valjean carries the flag and is ready to be released, Javert speaks to Jean Valjean lacking any sort of civility. Jean Valjean tries to tell Javert why he was in prison, but Javert has no empathy for why he committed the crime, he only sees Jean Valjean as a criminal and communicates with him as such.
Later on in the movie, Jean Valjean has escaped his parole and is living in a town where he is a now a mayor and a man of great respect. In a strange turn of event, Javert is called to the town to help with issues going on and Jean Valjean and Javert are forced to meet again. It has been several years and Javert does not recognize Jean Valjean. Instead of seeing Jean Valjean as the criminal he was previously, Javert sees a man of high status and treats him as such. This change in interaction shows how Javert governs his interaction based upon a person's status. Even though Jean Valjean knows who Javert is, he still continues to use empathy and his morals, regardless of their status, to help guide his interaction even at the risk of being discovered. In Les Miserable, Jean Valjean and Javert are two opposite characters in the way they use communication ethics. For Jean Valjean, he treats everyone with the respect and empathy they deserve while Javert decides his interaction upon a person's social status.
Objectives shape ethics in Les Miserables
The way nearly every main character in Les Miserables demonstrates a different modality of communication ethics shows us the need for academic standardization of communication ethics to begin with. As we noted in class, one of communication ethics' defining traits is the objectives of speaker and listener. With many of Les Miserables' songs being extensions of the speaker-listener relationship, its easy to highlight objectives in almost every song and, in doing so, illuminate how one's own ethics are forged by their objective.
Take Javert's earliest communication with Jean Valjean, still Prisoner 24601 in the story's earliest throes. Javert's military position--and the presence of peers and superiors--dictates that he regard Prisoner 24601 with cold, calculating precision. No sympathy, no undue cruelty; only pragmatic indifference, whether giving orders of physical toil or parole papers, will do. Here, we see that Javert's objective--to uphold justice, demonstrate aptness for military duty, and keep prisoners in line--manifests itself in communication ethics that devalue empathy and value distancing oneself from emotions that leave us susceptible to influence.
The bishop Jean encounters while struggling to find food and shelter exhibits communication ethics on a completely opposite end of the spectrum, driven by his objective to spread the word and love of God on Earth. Such an objective--the sworn duty of the bishop, much like Javert's sworn military oaths--demands sympathetic treatment of nearly all humans, a devaluation of material possessions, and graceful forgiveness wherever it's needed. As such, the bishop is astoundingly warm and receptive to Valjean, declining to ask for any information about his past or what circumstances brought him to such a lowly state. This could be construed as lack of empathy--an unwillingness to share in the troubles of others. Rather, any context about the individuals he's helping might color his opinion of them and complicate the act of disseminating God's forgiveness. To the bishop, only helping matters--everything else is ancillary. As an extension of his objective, the bishop also warmly regards the soldiers who deliver a thieving Valjean to him the next morning. No matter the listener, the bishop (as speaker) has one objective that maintains communication ethics of sympathetic treatment and respect--even when those ethics stand in the way of honesty, which he abandons when the soldiers question him.
As the film continues, I expect we'll see more evidence of objective-driven communication ethics, including characters openly acknowledging the conflict between their objectives and the opposing direction that human nature pushes them in. I'm particularly looking forward to Javert's tragic solo as an example of what happens when we are unable to resolve this conflict and vouch completely for one path or the other.
Take Javert's earliest communication with Jean Valjean, still Prisoner 24601 in the story's earliest throes. Javert's military position--and the presence of peers and superiors--dictates that he regard Prisoner 24601 with cold, calculating precision. No sympathy, no undue cruelty; only pragmatic indifference, whether giving orders of physical toil or parole papers, will do. Here, we see that Javert's objective--to uphold justice, demonstrate aptness for military duty, and keep prisoners in line--manifests itself in communication ethics that devalue empathy and value distancing oneself from emotions that leave us susceptible to influence.
The bishop Jean encounters while struggling to find food and shelter exhibits communication ethics on a completely opposite end of the spectrum, driven by his objective to spread the word and love of God on Earth. Such an objective--the sworn duty of the bishop, much like Javert's sworn military oaths--demands sympathetic treatment of nearly all humans, a devaluation of material possessions, and graceful forgiveness wherever it's needed. As such, the bishop is astoundingly warm and receptive to Valjean, declining to ask for any information about his past or what circumstances brought him to such a lowly state. This could be construed as lack of empathy--an unwillingness to share in the troubles of others. Rather, any context about the individuals he's helping might color his opinion of them and complicate the act of disseminating God's forgiveness. To the bishop, only helping matters--everything else is ancillary. As an extension of his objective, the bishop also warmly regards the soldiers who deliver a thieving Valjean to him the next morning. No matter the listener, the bishop (as speaker) has one objective that maintains communication ethics of sympathetic treatment and respect--even when those ethics stand in the way of honesty, which he abandons when the soldiers question him.
As the film continues, I expect we'll see more evidence of objective-driven communication ethics, including characters openly acknowledging the conflict between their objectives and the opposing direction that human nature pushes them in. I'm particularly looking forward to Javert's tragic solo as an example of what happens when we are unable to resolve this conflict and vouch completely for one path or the other.
Les Misérables
Communication ethics applies well to the film Les Misérables. The term communication ethics is very broad, and its definition can vary. Applying the term specifically to the film in regards to the power and status aspect is the most obvious representation. The characters that have more power are those of a higher status. Your credibility, amongst other things, is also considered to be directly associated with ones status.
The transformation of Jean Valjean is a flawless example of this interpretation of communication ethics. He starts the film as a criminal convicted of stealing bread to feed his family. As he is released and on the hunt for a job no one will help him because he is considered a felon. After stealing from the church and the father's words of encouragement he knows he must become an honest man. He is then shown as the town mayor and the owner of a factory. When Javert pays him a visit in this scene it is evident the difference that power makes. Here Javert treats him with respect and as a higher power then himself. In jail he treats Jean Valjean and other prisoners with disgust and cruelty.
This same example is seen throughout the film as Javert interacts with people deemed lower than himself, as do other characters considered to be of a higher status. Jean Valjean is an exception to this. He treats everyone with the same hope and respect that the father treated him with when he spared him. He exercises the power he has gained in a way to help people and does not consider himself to be above others. Whereas Javerts power, given to him by the law, is taken advantage of. He deems people of a lower status, like the poor, to be untrustworthy giving those of a higher status more power leaving the poor with no hope. The scene where Jean Valjean saves Fantine from Javert arresting her down by the ship yard is a prime example of this.
The transformation of Jean Valjean is a flawless example of this interpretation of communication ethics. He starts the film as a criminal convicted of stealing bread to feed his family. As he is released and on the hunt for a job no one will help him because he is considered a felon. After stealing from the church and the father's words of encouragement he knows he must become an honest man. He is then shown as the town mayor and the owner of a factory. When Javert pays him a visit in this scene it is evident the difference that power makes. Here Javert treats him with respect and as a higher power then himself. In jail he treats Jean Valjean and other prisoners with disgust and cruelty.
This same example is seen throughout the film as Javert interacts with people deemed lower than himself, as do other characters considered to be of a higher status. Jean Valjean is an exception to this. He treats everyone with the same hope and respect that the father treated him with when he spared him. He exercises the power he has gained in a way to help people and does not consider himself to be above others. Whereas Javerts power, given to him by the law, is taken advantage of. He deems people of a lower status, like the poor, to be untrustworthy giving those of a higher status more power leaving the poor with no hope. The scene where Jean Valjean saves Fantine from Javert arresting her down by the ship yard is a prime example of this.
Communication Ethics in Les Mis
Q: How does communication ethics play out in Les Mis?
From the beginning of the film, I found it interesting how the standard of ethics differs depending on power and status. For example, in the interaction between Javert and Jean Valjean in the beginning we see that because Valjean is a prisoner he really has no choice but to submit to authority whereas Javert is able to dehumanize Valjean by referring to him by the number 24601. However, neither would either hold to, or in Valjean's case, be able to hold to the standard of the other. What is "right" or "moral" for one man is completely different for the other, and we see this notion play out not only with power but also with societal status such as between men and women. It seems that defining communication ethics is a difficult matter because the definition changes for each person depending on where they stand in society.
In addition to there being differences between those in power and those who are not, there are also noticeable differences between those who hold different positions of power. Both the Bishop and Javert hold their own respective positions of power, but how they treat Valjean is completely different. Instead of potentially exerting his authority to negatively affect Valjean, the Bishop responds to him as another individual with love and without judgment. Because of this response, Valjean is set free, which illustrates that not only does power allow for dominance, but the ability to determine outcomes too in being a person who is more likely to be believed by others. Simply put, as one's power increases, so does the power of their words and they ways in which they use them.
From the beginning of the film, I found it interesting how the standard of ethics differs depending on power and status. For example, in the interaction between Javert and Jean Valjean in the beginning we see that because Valjean is a prisoner he really has no choice but to submit to authority whereas Javert is able to dehumanize Valjean by referring to him by the number 24601. However, neither would either hold to, or in Valjean's case, be able to hold to the standard of the other. What is "right" or "moral" for one man is completely different for the other, and we see this notion play out not only with power but also with societal status such as between men and women. It seems that defining communication ethics is a difficult matter because the definition changes for each person depending on where they stand in society.
In addition to there being differences between those in power and those who are not, there are also noticeable differences between those who hold different positions of power. Both the Bishop and Javert hold their own respective positions of power, but how they treat Valjean is completely different. Instead of potentially exerting his authority to negatively affect Valjean, the Bishop responds to him as another individual with love and without judgment. Because of this response, Valjean is set free, which illustrates that not only does power allow for dominance, but the ability to determine outcomes too in being a person who is more likely to be believed by others. Simply put, as one's power increases, so does the power of their words and they ways in which they use them.
Les Mis
During the beginning portion of Les Mis, it is quite obvious that there our theme of the course, communication ethics, plays out within all of the characters dialogue, and even body language. But first, it is important to discuss what communication ethics really is. It is the ability to portray and express levels of moral principles in a dialogue between 2 or more people. Even during the first clip of the film it was obvious why this was the movie that was chosen to represent our course's theme.
The most obvious example of the power struggle throughout this film is between Jean and Javert. Jean was a criminal and in prison, and he was working as a slave in France. Jean sings a song early on that explains that he can't look Javert in the eye. All of the prisoners sang this, actually. This is due to the fact that Javert was completely in control of all of the slaves. Javert also only remembered Jean's number that was given to him while he was in prison. But, Javert expected Jean to completely remember his full name. This shows that Javert was considered to be worth much more than Jean, even though they are both human beings. All in all, these are only a few of the ways in with communication ethics is shown in Les Mis.
The most obvious example of the power struggle throughout this film is between Jean and Javert. Jean was a criminal and in prison, and he was working as a slave in France. Jean sings a song early on that explains that he can't look Javert in the eye. All of the prisoners sang this, actually. This is due to the fact that Javert was completely in control of all of the slaves. Javert also only remembered Jean's number that was given to him while he was in prison. But, Javert expected Jean to completely remember his full name. This shows that Javert was considered to be worth much more than Jean, even though they are both human beings. All in all, these are only a few of the ways in with communication ethics is shown in Les Mis.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Les Mis
We talked in class about how power and status can impact the way people communicate with each other. This was shown in Les Miserables in the way that Javert treats Jean Valjean. In the beginning of the movie Javert talks to Valjean about stealing being wrong. Valjean tells him that the police are wrong. This reflects the "variety of virtues" that our textbook mentions. Jean Valjean stole bread for his family. While stealing is wrong, it can be viewed as acceptable in some situations, such as this one. Valjean telling the police that they are wrong shows that he felt that his behavior was acceptable under the circumstances. Later in the movie, Valjean (now known as Monsieur Madeleine) meets Javert again but this time Javert treats Valjean with respect because he is successful. The change in Valjean's class status leads to Javert respecting him more.
Communication ethics also involve a system of belief or virtue. Fantine is a single mother who is fired when her employer finds out that she has a child. She resorts to prostitution to make money. When Madeleine finds out what has become of her, he helps her and tells her that she will be able to see her daughter. This action reflects that Valjean has empathy for what Fantine is going through and his behavior is also an indication of a "good" that he feels strongly about.
Communication ethics also involve a system of belief or virtue. Fantine is a single mother who is fired when her employer finds out that she has a child. She resorts to prostitution to make money. When Madeleine finds out what has become of her, he helps her and tells her that she will be able to see her daughter. This action reflects that Valjean has empathy for what Fantine is going through and his behavior is also an indication of a "good" that he feels strongly about.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Blog one: Le Mis
When we first discussed what communication ethics was, I had my own ideas and beliefs as to what it was. I did notice that most of my ideas were valid, but there were some that differed. From what we discussed in class communication ethics is sort of up in the air as far as interpretation goes, as long as it falls under the umbrella of "moral." I say this because in most situations there is a proper way to communicate your emotions,thoughts, ideas, beliefs, feelings, etc. There is also a wrong way to express them. In relation to the film Les Misérables there were several examples of how communication ethics is used. Id like to address one scene in particular.
In the scene when Fantine was out on the streets, she got into a scuffle with an upperclass citizen who tried to assault her and discredit her value. The upperclass citizen did so by claiming that "this one thinks she has virtue,"while sexually assaulting Fantine. In response to his assault, Fantine had no choice but to respond back to him with force. This entire situation was an example of how communication ethics was not used, or used in a way to diminish someone else's reputation. Shortly after the assault an officer of the law came into the scene and demanded to know what happened, the upperclass citizen immediately clung to his status to make it seem as though Fantine was at fault. And since Fantine wasn't seen as an upperclass citizens, all the accusations made by the upperclass citizens seemed valid. Which left Fantine no choice, but to try to use her words to work her way out of the situation. She did so by telling the truth and trying to appeal to Javert's humanity stating, "please sir, I have a daughter and if I go to jail she will die." This specific situation shows how communication ethics can be used in a useful manner, even though the result was to no avail and Javert was still going to arrest Fantine if she wasn't saved by Jean Valjean.
The final part of this scene I think was important in showing how communication ethics can be used was when Jean Valjean tried to help Fantine. Fantine was upset with Jean Valjean, and blamed him for her current situation. Fantine could have easily received help from Jean, but instead wanted to to make him feel guilty. This scene could have worked out many different ways, but if she would have communicated her feelings in a positive manner things would have been much less dramatic.
In the scene when Fantine was out on the streets, she got into a scuffle with an upperclass citizen who tried to assault her and discredit her value. The upperclass citizen did so by claiming that "this one thinks she has virtue,"while sexually assaulting Fantine. In response to his assault, Fantine had no choice but to respond back to him with force. This entire situation was an example of how communication ethics was not used, or used in a way to diminish someone else's reputation. Shortly after the assault an officer of the law came into the scene and demanded to know what happened, the upperclass citizen immediately clung to his status to make it seem as though Fantine was at fault. And since Fantine wasn't seen as an upperclass citizens, all the accusations made by the upperclass citizens seemed valid. Which left Fantine no choice, but to try to use her words to work her way out of the situation. She did so by telling the truth and trying to appeal to Javert's humanity stating, "please sir, I have a daughter and if I go to jail she will die." This specific situation shows how communication ethics can be used in a useful manner, even though the result was to no avail and Javert was still going to arrest Fantine if she wasn't saved by Jean Valjean.
The final part of this scene I think was important in showing how communication ethics can be used was when Jean Valjean tried to help Fantine. Fantine was upset with Jean Valjean, and blamed him for her current situation. Fantine could have easily received help from Jean, but instead wanted to to make him feel guilty. This scene could have worked out many different ways, but if she would have communicated her feelings in a positive manner things would have been much less dramatic.
Blog One: Les Mis
How does communication ethics play out in the film?
Communications ethics is a
very important aspect of this film. There are lots of examples of communication
ethics but the two examples that stand out to me is when Valjean steals the
candlesticks and when Valjean steps in when Javert is arresting Fantine.
When Valjean gets released
from prison he gets caught for stealing silver and is returned to the church
where the bishop lies and says he gave the silver to Valjean. This is a very
good example of how your standing in society affects how much people believe
and listen to you. Even though both men lied about the silver, the policemen
only believe Valjean after the bishop confirms it. If Valjean had not been a
convicted criminal, he might have had better luck with the police officers
believing him in the first place.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Blog One: Les Mis
How does communication ethics play out in the film?
The most obvious way that communication ethics is portrayed in the film is through the various shifts in power and position (i.e. who has power and who does not), and how status, power, and position all effect the way individuals communicate with one another.
I was going to touch upon the relationship that power plays between Jean and Javert throughout the film, but that has already been talked about, so I thought I'd look at power through a slightly different lens.
Other interesting places communication ethics can be seen are in Fantine's storyline. An argument could be made that the reason for Fantine's horrible predicament stem from the fact that she is utterly powerless. She was fired from her job due to her co-worker's betrayal and the foreman's desire to "put her in her place." She is forced to turn to immoral work (prostitution) to support Cosette, despite the fact that she clearly desired to maintain her respectable job at Jean's business. When Javert discovers her, he dismisses her pleas about Cosette, which echo the way others have interacted with her, either to dismiss her or to strip her of any control she may have had. Almost everyone has power over her in some way. The foreman had the power to fire her, the men she sleeps with have the power to provide her with the income she needs to support Cosette, Jean has the power to decide her fate when Javert tries to "bring her to justice" after an altercation with a client. In Fantine's storyline thus far we see communication that is used to dominate, which clearly defies ethics.
The most obvious way that communication ethics is portrayed in the film is through the various shifts in power and position (i.e. who has power and who does not), and how status, power, and position all effect the way individuals communicate with one another.
I was going to touch upon the relationship that power plays between Jean and Javert throughout the film, but that has already been talked about, so I thought I'd look at power through a slightly different lens.
Other interesting places communication ethics can be seen are in Fantine's storyline. An argument could be made that the reason for Fantine's horrible predicament stem from the fact that she is utterly powerless. She was fired from her job due to her co-worker's betrayal and the foreman's desire to "put her in her place." She is forced to turn to immoral work (prostitution) to support Cosette, despite the fact that she clearly desired to maintain her respectable job at Jean's business. When Javert discovers her, he dismisses her pleas about Cosette, which echo the way others have interacted with her, either to dismiss her or to strip her of any control she may have had. Almost everyone has power over her in some way. The foreman had the power to fire her, the men she sleeps with have the power to provide her with the income she needs to support Cosette, Jean has the power to decide her fate when Javert tries to "bring her to justice" after an altercation with a client. In Fantine's storyline thus far we see communication that is used to dominate, which clearly defies ethics.
Blog One: Les Mis
Q: How does communication ethics begin to play out/show in the beginning of the film?
A: For this particular activity, I had to define communication and ethics. For starters, I'm defining communication as a transmission of a message, exchange of ideas, or interaction. Specifically, for Les Mis, communication is based upon structures of power and oppression. Secondly, ethics is going to be defined loosely as morals, empathy, respect, civility, and right versus wrong.
Now, the very beginning of the film opens on a scene that perfectly embodies the portrayal of communication ethics within the film as a whole. The whole song ("Look Down") centers on the idea that these men cannot look at Javert - let alone talk to him at all - because there is a system of power and oppression that discourages free flow of communication between individuals, particularly between individuals of different class levels. We see this on an interpersonal basis in the first interaction between Javert and Valjean. "Retrieve the flag," Javert says. It is without barely looking at Valjean that Javert orders him to complete this humanly-impossible task. It shows that Javert has a complete lack of respect for these human lives because he sees them as lowly.
Another fantastic example of communication ethics in Les Mis is the comparison of Javert and the Bishop. These two men represent opposite sides of the spectrum of communication ethics. Javert represents a lack of communication ethics. He is cold, unfeeling, and revels in his power over other people. He seems to wallow in the glory of his words carrying far more weight than theirs. The Bishop, on the other side, represents ethical communication at its finest. Despite lying to the guards/police about Valjean's crime, the Bishop displays empathy and civility toward Valjean and gives him a chance at redemption, something Javert and the rest of the community had denied him as a criminal.
The songs of this film are openly voicing the unethical communication present in the plot, particularly the song "At the End of the Day". The people of Paris (and France) are singing about the literal lack of communication between classes in the hierarchical system of French politics and how their suffering is a direct effect of that lack of communication. The prostitutes, for example, are a visual representation of the higher class taking advantage of the lower class. In the scene with Fantine, the male customer literally takes her without even speaking a word to her. There is no communication, so how could it possibly be ethical? Again, Javert plays a distinctive role as the image of unethical communication. When Fantine is accused of lashing out, Javert does not even listen to her side of the story because she's low class. There is no communication and, if there is, it is superficial.
A: For this particular activity, I had to define communication and ethics. For starters, I'm defining communication as a transmission of a message, exchange of ideas, or interaction. Specifically, for Les Mis, communication is based upon structures of power and oppression. Secondly, ethics is going to be defined loosely as morals, empathy, respect, civility, and right versus wrong.
Now, the very beginning of the film opens on a scene that perfectly embodies the portrayal of communication ethics within the film as a whole. The whole song ("Look Down") centers on the idea that these men cannot look at Javert - let alone talk to him at all - because there is a system of power and oppression that discourages free flow of communication between individuals, particularly between individuals of different class levels. We see this on an interpersonal basis in the first interaction between Javert and Valjean. "Retrieve the flag," Javert says. It is without barely looking at Valjean that Javert orders him to complete this humanly-impossible task. It shows that Javert has a complete lack of respect for these human lives because he sees them as lowly.
Another fantastic example of communication ethics in Les Mis is the comparison of Javert and the Bishop. These two men represent opposite sides of the spectrum of communication ethics. Javert represents a lack of communication ethics. He is cold, unfeeling, and revels in his power over other people. He seems to wallow in the glory of his words carrying far more weight than theirs. The Bishop, on the other side, represents ethical communication at its finest. Despite lying to the guards/police about Valjean's crime, the Bishop displays empathy and civility toward Valjean and gives him a chance at redemption, something Javert and the rest of the community had denied him as a criminal.
The songs of this film are openly voicing the unethical communication present in the plot, particularly the song "At the End of the Day". The people of Paris (and France) are singing about the literal lack of communication between classes in the hierarchical system of French politics and how their suffering is a direct effect of that lack of communication. The prostitutes, for example, are a visual representation of the higher class taking advantage of the lower class. In the scene with Fantine, the male customer literally takes her without even speaking a word to her. There is no communication, so how could it possibly be ethical? Again, Javert plays a distinctive role as the image of unethical communication. When Fantine is accused of lashing out, Javert does not even listen to her side of the story because she's low class. There is no communication and, if there is, it is superficial.
Blog 1- Les Mis
How does communication ethics play out in the film?
In the first segment of the film, Les Miserables, communication ethics played a major role concerning power and status. Between the characters played by Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe, the film started off by demonstrating with powerful visuals that Jackman played the part of a slave as punishment for his crime of theft. Crowe played the role of the inspector/police officer that held a significantly higher social status than his counterpart. After Crowe asked Jackman to retrieve the French flag from the water he addresses him solely as a number rather than a name which not only dehumanized Jackman, demonstrating their significant difference in 'power', but it showed through communication that Jackman was not worthy (did not have enough status) to bear a name, yet Crowe did because of his lack of a criminal background.
Though, the power did not remain in Crowe's hands. After Jackman transformed into his other alias and became mayor of a successful town, it became clear that the power had now shifted to the former slave. Not only did Crowe have to take orders from Jackman, when Crowe admitted to wrongly (yet not to his knowledge, correctly) accusing the Mayor of being a criminal, he asked for the Mayor to punish him and even bowed in his presence when Jackman refused to offer punishment. Through both verbal and nonverbal communication, the power shift became very clear and by looking at these power and status differences, each party was spoken to and treated in a significantly different manner; thus the ethics of communication was dramatically altered simply by the status that each character held.
In the first segment of the film, Les Miserables, communication ethics played a major role concerning power and status. Between the characters played by Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe, the film started off by demonstrating with powerful visuals that Jackman played the part of a slave as punishment for his crime of theft. Crowe played the role of the inspector/police officer that held a significantly higher social status than his counterpart. After Crowe asked Jackman to retrieve the French flag from the water he addresses him solely as a number rather than a name which not only dehumanized Jackman, demonstrating their significant difference in 'power', but it showed through communication that Jackman was not worthy (did not have enough status) to bear a name, yet Crowe did because of his lack of a criminal background.
Though, the power did not remain in Crowe's hands. After Jackman transformed into his other alias and became mayor of a successful town, it became clear that the power had now shifted to the former slave. Not only did Crowe have to take orders from Jackman, when Crowe admitted to wrongly (yet not to his knowledge, correctly) accusing the Mayor of being a criminal, he asked for the Mayor to punish him and even bowed in his presence when Jackman refused to offer punishment. Through both verbal and nonverbal communication, the power shift became very clear and by looking at these power and status differences, each party was spoken to and treated in a significantly different manner; thus the ethics of communication was dramatically altered simply by the status that each character held.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
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