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.
I thought your blog provided an interesting insight into the connection between communications ethics and the movie. One of the things that struck me most was how you describe Javert as taking advantage of people of lower status because of his authoritative position. After watching more of the movie, we learned that Javert was not always in a position of status, but rather lived a life more similar to Jean Valjean's early life. This makes me believe that Javert treats people of a lower status so unethically because his new-found power and status. One might think that Javert would treat people of a lower status with compassion and empathy considering he was part of the lower class of France, but instead, he uses his status to do the opposite and show the people that he is above him through his interactions. This is just more support of your thesis showing how Javert and Jean Valjean are completely opposite when it comes to communicating.
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