Video Lesson: Scene 1 of Les Miserables A Movie Based on the novel by Victor Hugo

Kristi Reyes, 2004

Part I. Previewing Conversation. Discuss your responses to the following questions with our group members. 1. Do you believe that most people are basically good or bad? For example, do you think that most people would obey a law even if no one were looking, or do you think that most people would break a law if they had a chance? Think of examples to support your opinion. 2. Have you ever witnessed a crime or been a victim of a crime? If so, tell what happened. 3. Are there any circumstances when committing a crime is acceptable or unavoidable? For example, if a person steals a loaf of bread because he needs to feed his starving family, should he be punished? Can you think of other examples? 4. What crimes have you heard about recently in the news? 5. What do you think is the worst crime a person could commit? Why? 6. What is the punishment for murder in your country? What is the punishment for stealing in your country? 7. What is your opinion of the death penalty? 8. What makes some people become criminals? 9. In your opinion, does prison help rehabilitate criminals? Why or why not? 10. Do you ever give money or other assistance to homeless people? Why or why not?

Part II. Watch the video clip. Then tell a classmate Who, What, Where, and Why. In other words, who are the people, what happened, where did the scene take place, and why did the people do what they did? * Do your best to use simple past and past continuous verbs. Who = What = Where = Why = Part III. Listen and fill in the missing words. Bishop: Who can that be?

Jean Valjean: Do you have any _______________ you can _______________ for me? Bishop: Come in. Jean Valjean: Look. Im a convict. My name is Jean Valjean. Ive served _______________ years hard labor. They let me out four days ago. Im on parole. I have to go all the way to Dijon to report by Monday or theyll send me back to prison. So heres my passport. I cant read, but I know it says, Hes very _______________ . Bishop: Monsieur, youre welcome to eat with us as our guest. Jean Valjean: Im a convict. You saw my passport. Bishop: I know who you are. Jean Valjean: Youre gonna let me inside your house?

Woman: What crime did you commit? Jean Valjean: Maybe I killed someone. How do you know Im not going to murder you? Bishop: How do you know Im not going to murder you? Jean Valjean: Whats that? A _______________ ? Bishop: I suppose well have to trust each other. Jean Valjean: I didnt kill anyone. Im a _______________ . I stole food. I stole, but I paid for it, _______________ _______________ _______________ _______________ . So they let me out and give me a yellow passport. What can I do with a yellow passport? I have to go to my parole officer in Dijon. And then what? Starve to death? Nineteen years and now the real ___________________________ begins. Bishop: Men can be unjust. Jean Valjean: Men? Not God? Alright, whoever you are. Thank you. A meal and a bed to sleep in, a real bed. And in the morning Ill be a _______________ _______________.

Jean Valjean thinks about his days of hard labor and abuse at the hands of the prison guards. Then he sneaks out after stealing fine silver utensils. Bishop: Is anybody there? (hit on the head)

Bishop: So well use _______________ _______________ . I dont want to hear anything more about it. Police (gendarme): Im sorry to disturb you, but I had my eye on this man. Bishop: Im very angry with you, Jean Valjean. Police: What happened to your eye, Monsignor? Bishop: Didnt he tell you he was our _______________ last night? Police: Oh, yes, after we searched his knapsack and found all this _______________ . He claimed that you gave it to him. Bishop: Yes, of course I gave him the silverware. But why didnt you take the candlesticks? That was very _______________ . Madame Gilot, fetch the silver candlesticks. Theyre worth at least _______________ francs. Why did you leave them? Hurry! Monsieur Jean Valjean has lost a lot of time. Did you forget to take them? Police: Are you saying he told us the truth? Bishop: Of course. Thank you for bringing him back. Im very _______________ . Police: Release him. Jean Valjean: Youre really letting me go? Police: Didnt you understand the bishop? Bishop: Madame Gilot, offer these men some wine. They must be thirsty. (To Jean Valjean): Dont forget. Dont ever forget it. Youve _______________ to become a new man. Jean Valjean: Promise? Why are you doing this? Bishop: Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil. With this silver, I bought your soul. Ive ransomed you from fear and hatred, and now I give you back to God. Part IV. Post-viewing discussion. 1. Do you think that the bishop did the right thing by allowing Jean Valjean, a criminal, into his home? Why or why not? Would you do the same? Why or why not? 2. What crime did Jean Valjean commit? Why do you think he committed this crime? What was his punishment? Do you think that his punishment was suitable for his crime? 3. Jean Valjean said that he had a yellow passport. How is this type of passport different from other passports?

4. Jean Valjean said that his real punishment starts now that he has been freed. What did he mean by this statement? 5. Why do you think that the bishop lied to the police about Jean Valjeans theft of the silverware? 6. Why did the bishop tell JeanValjean to take the valuable candlesticks?

Part V. Writing. Write a journal entry about the video clip you just saw. Write a summary of the scene you saw. * Use simple past and past continuous verb tenses. Then write your personal response by answering the following questions: What was the message? Do you agree or disagree with the bishops actions? Why? Do you think that Jean Valjean will keep his promise to become a new man? Why or why not?
Kristi Reyes, 2004

FYI: "Les Miserables" is based on Victor Hugo's epic tale. Jean Valjean is convicted of stealing a loaf of bread, which results in a life on the run. Jean falls in love with the beautiful and poverty stricken Fantine. After her death, he raises her daughter Cosette. Much later, Cosette falls in love with Marius, a young revolutionary. Jean chooses to sacrifice his own freedom to save Cosette's love. Javert is the policeman who hunts Jean to the end.