Story behind the characters

The character of Javert in the opening scene of Les Miserables. | Photo Credit: Shaun Smith, The Dixie Blog

Story behind the characters
by Evan Albright
Student Life Editor, Flyer Flash


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Les Miserables is a story of unmeasurable struggle, hate, misery, and love.

Often referred to as Les Mis, it was written in 1862 by a Victor Hugo. The play was written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg. Les Miserables was largely acclaimed as the greatest novel of the 19th century as it follows seven french characters over a 17-year period that ended in 1832 with the June Rebellion in the French Revolution.

Our very one Dixie High produced Les Miserables as it’s latest spectacular production!

These students spent most of their time the past few weeks working every day after school to put this production together for Dixie High students, and for what? Is it to be in the spotlight, have a moment of fame, or just have fun? Do the students in the production even know where this play came from?

When Senior Nate Myers was interviewed about his part as Jean Valjean he expressed, “Um, the thing about Les Mis and my part is for me it's all about redemption. How one man can do a good deed to another and receive redemption. I really wanted to portray the struggle he had. Like when the bishop gives Jan Valjean the silver and basically he becomes a saint if you will.”

You could feel the emotion and feeling in this Seniors voice of how much he believed in the concept of redemption and one man changing his life for the better!
 

While asking Sophomore techie by the name of Kyla Moller what she thought Les Miserables was about she stated “I’m pretty sure it was the French Revolution or the story of the play took place while that was going on.”

Little do some know that this play specifically follows former convict Jean Valjean who makes a name for himself out of all his good deeds and becomes a mayor of a town while being the master of a factory. 

Talking to Sophomore Josie Nielson she said, “I wasn’t in the play but I had a ton of friends in it. I thought it was about a guy in the 1800s that wrote it but it took forever!” 

And she is correct. Victor started planning the book in 1830 and it got published some time later in 1862. It also had one of the largest impacts on the French society! Since then it has also made an on the world! With it being formed into a critically acclaimed play.

So thank you Hugo for giving the world Les Miserables!