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.
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