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.