Title: LES MISERABLES

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Characters:

Jean Valjean- the man who got in prisoned because of stealing silver wares from the church but was paroled after nineteen years and become a man of worth in his society after several years.

Fantine: the desperate mother who wants to save her child. She became a prostitute but died later in the film.

Cosette: the daughter of fantine who was left under the care of Jean Valjean. She fell inlove with marius and got married at the end.

Marius: the courageous man who helped cosette and Jan Valjean regain their freedom through the launch of revolution.

Setting:

Paris, France

Plot:

Exposition:

The film had an introduction in showing the slavery that was experienced by the people in France under the harsh governance. Jean Valjean or was known as prisoner num 6401 became the center of the film in which he represented the oppressions and injustices made by the unlawful people of the monarchy.

Conflict:

The conflict arose when inspector javert discovered that Jan Valjean is Monsieur Madeline, a wide factory owner. He started to investigate and when he found the real answer, he started to haunt him. Fantine who is a desperate mother trying to save her child, found a comfort to Jean Valjean, sje died in the middle of the story and her daughter who is named Cosette was left to Jean Valjean. Inspector Javert didn’t stop haunting them.

Climax:

In the Paris France, after nine yrs that Cosette and Jean Valjean had escaped from Inspector Javert, a revolution came into action, it was headed by Marius Pontmercy. This man fell inlove also with Cosette. The war started and unfortunately Garvorche was shot. They have caught inspector Javert and they laid the punishment to Jean Valjean, but the forgiving man set him free.

Falling action:

Because Jean Valjean set Inspector Javert free, he was given a chance to kill and revenge for all the people who started the revolution. They shot all of the revolutionists, and Marius was only left standing.

Resolution:

Despite of many losses in all the revolutionists, inspector Javert finds retreat in the end and ended his own life. They are all given freedom and were set out of the poverty. Cosette and Marius got married, and to his end, Jean Valjean found his peace together with Fantine.

Theme:

Justice is the most rewarding thing that a warrior can get, more than any prize.

The film talks about the justice that any person is deserved to have. Fighting for your rights and living with no oppressors is the best life we could ever have. This keeps the characters of the film very courageous and a real fighter until the end.  

Symbolism:

The silver wares:

These symbolize the wealth and also the poverty of the people. That wealthy people are enjoying their lives and the poor ones remains to be slave.

1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?

The Miserables means the poor wretches which mirrors the composition of the society in france along 18^th and 19^th century. It tells the story of mal treatments of the supreme government to its natives and it speaks of how miserable people’s life being the slave on their own country.

2. among the characters, to who can you relate to?

I can relate much to Cosette’s character, because she is a strong lady, thinking that you were just a girl left by your mom, its impossible to think that you can survive with a stranger. Cosette’s character reflects my inner attitude of being a fighter in life, that whatever happens, i’ll still find my means to survive.

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?

The part were Jean Valjean is about to die. It made me think that even a hero, or a strong man will always have a retreat with God. No one comes to be superior that he will not die, each one of us will face it no matter how strong we are, but the legacy we have left will always remain as our mark.

4. What is the movie’s message?

Generally, Victor Hugo wants to emphasize the problem of poverty and how it affects the behaviour of each people. It also wants to tell us that human are never created to be oppressed but to have all the rights and be justified in every single way.

5. Did I like this in general? Why?

I like the movie because it helps me to understand what could be the reason for such crimes and injustices in the society. The directors have portrayed creatively the scenes where the title of the movie was clearly stated.

The musical effects give more enthusiasm and drama to the movie. Poetic lines and lyrics are made best for the film.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?

I agree the justice is important to every humans. That no matter what happen, we will always fight for it. this just don’t become a theme but also a message for me to become strong and be courageous in exercising my rights.

7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?

I don’t like the part where they are cutting the parts of cats and people, ground it. I feel like vomiting watching that scene. I don’t like the essence of seeing man eating man.

8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?

None. For me the film was clearly illustrated and portrayed.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

As a person, I sometimes encounter injustices in my life. And the characters served as my mirrors, that there are times that I’m fighting for something, i have to lose something in return. As a student, when I see my classmates cheating, it feels to be unfair on my side, and sometimes you have nothing to do but to quiet but in the long time, you’ll find the courage to correct them. 

Title: LES MISERABLES

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Characters:

Jean Valjean- the man who got in prisoned because of stealing silver wares from the church but was paroled after nineteen years and become a man of worth in his society after several years.

Fantine: the desperate mother who wants to save her child. She became a prostitute but died later in the film.

Cosette: the daughter of fantine who was left under the care of Jean Valjean. She fell inlove with marius and got married at the end.

Marius: the courageous man who helped cosette and Jan Valjean regain their freedom through the launch of revolution.

Setting:

Paris, France

Plot:

Exposition:

The film had an introduction in showing the slavery that was experienced by the people in France under the harsh governance. Jean Valjean or was known as prisoner num 6401 became the center of the film in which he represented the oppressions and injustices made by the unlawful people of the monarchy.

Conflict:

The conflict arose when inspector javert discovered that Jan Valjean is Monsieur Madeline, a wide factory owner. He started to investigate and when he found the real answer, he started to haunt him. Fantine who is a desperate mother trying to save her child, found a comfort to Jean Valjean, sje died in the middle of the story and her daughter who is named Cosette was left to Jean Valjean. Inspector Javert didn’t stop haunting them.

Climax:

In the Paris France, after nine yrs that Cosette and Jean Valjean had escaped from Inspector Javert, a revolution came into action, it was headed by Marius Pontmercy. This man fell inlove also with Cosette. The war started and unfortunately Garvorche was shot. They have caught inspector Javert and they laid the punishment to Jean Valjean, but the forgiving man set him free.

Falling action:

Because Jean Valjean set Inspector Javert free, he was given a chance to kill and revenge for all the people who started the revolution. They shot all of the revolutionists, and Marius was only left standing.

Resolution:

Despite of many losses in all the revolutionists, inspector Javert finds retreat in the end and ended his own life. They are all given freedom and were set out of the poverty. Cosette and Marius got married, and to his end, Jean Valjean found his peace together with Fantine.

Theme:

Justice is the most rewarding thing that a warrior can get, more than any prize.

The film talks about the justice that any person is deserved to have. Fighting for your rights and living with no oppressors is the best life we could ever have. This keeps the characters of the film very courageous and a real fighter until the end.  

Symbolism:

The silver wares:

These symbolize the wealth and also the poverty of the people. That wealthy people are enjoying their lives and the poor ones remains to be slave.

1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?

The Miserables means the poor wretches which mirrors the composition of the society in france along 18^th and 19^th century. It tells the story of mal treatments of the supreme government to its natives and it speaks of how miserable people’s life being the slave on their own country.

2. among the characters, to who can you relate to?

I can relate much to Cosette’s character, because she is a strong lady, thinking that you were just a girl left by your mom, its impossible to think that you can survive with a stranger. Cosette’s character reflects my inner attitude of being a fighter in life, that whatever happens, i’ll still find my means to survive.

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?

The part were Jean Valjean is about to die. It made me think that even a hero, or a strong man will always have a retreat with God. No one comes to be superior that he will not die, each one of us will face it no matter how strong we are, but the legacy we have left will always remain as our mark.

4. What is the movie’s message?

Generally, Victor Hugo wants to emphasize the problem of poverty and how it affects the behaviour of each people. It also wants to tell us that human are never created to be oppressed but to have all the rights and be justified in every single way.

5. Did I like this in general? Why?

I like the movie because it helps me to understand what could be the reason for such crimes and injustices in the society. The directors have portrayed creatively the scenes where the title of the movie was clearly stated.

The musical effects give more enthusiasm and drama to the movie. Poetic lines and lyrics are made best for the film.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?

I agree the justice is important to every humans. That no matter what happen, we will always fight for it. this just don’t become a theme but also a message for me to become strong and be courageous in exercising my rights.

7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?

I don’t like the part where they are cutting the parts of cats and people, ground it. I feel like vomiting watching that scene. I don’t like the essence of seeing man eating man.

8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?

None. For me the film was clearly illustrated and portrayed.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

As a person, I sometimes encounter injustices in my life. And the characters served as my mirrors, that there are times that I’m fighting for something, i have to lose something in return. As a student, when I see my classmates cheating, it feels to be unfair on my side, and sometimes you have nothing to do but to quiet but in the long time, you’ll find the courage to correct them. 

Title: Life of Pi

Genre: Fiction

Characters:

Pi/ Piscine Patel-

The main character in the story. He is an enthusiastic boy, full of courage and faith with GOD. He has a great heart with animals around him, and has a respect to the nature because he was raised in a vegetarian family.  

Gita Patel-

Her compassionate mother, a pure Indian with beliefs of Hinduisms. She is passionate to her child, she even tell some stories to them before bed time that later become an inspiring words for Pi to live a righteous life.  She is the reason why Pi was named Piscine, because she likes so much the Piscine pool, which she believed the best pool in the world.

Santosh Patel

The father of Piscine, a man full of wisdom that teaches Pi the realities of life. Unlike her mother, Santosh wants his child to see what is real and what is proper in living. One thing he wants that Piscine to develop is the rational mind that not just accepting everything blindly. In the contrary, he don’t believe that Richard Parker has a soul, indeed he is stressing to Pi that Richard Parker is an animal, he don’t have a heart.

Richard parker the tiger

The tiger who journeyed with Pi along the sea. He is a beast in nature, a hungry ever animal, but in the middle of the film became a friend to Pi.  He served as one of the strength of Piscine, though it is hard for them to interact with each other. A tiger that proved the belief of Pi, that animal has souls.

Setting:

 Pondicherry, India; the Pacific Ocean; Mexico; Canada

Plot:

Exposition:

The story started with the narration of Pi in the origin of his name, his name was got from the Piscine pool from France, where they are partly living. His mother is a hindu believer and his father is an owner of a zoo. He was called Pi because in the different classes he has, he always finds way on how to illustrate his name “Pi”.

Conflict:

There was a great storm that passed during the travel of Piscine’s family, it spared Pi from his family, and he was left alone in a boat together with the animals. He struggled through survival, he fought with the storms that came and he hardly managed to keep the animals as his friends especially the tiger.

Climax:

There was a strong storm that raged Pi and Richard Parker; they were torn up and down the boat. Pi finds it hard to steady himself and Richard parker is getting weak because of too much waves that hurts him.

Falling action:

It was the moment that Richard parker is almost dying and Pi almost lost his will to live. He thought of giving up his life and just leaving everything to God. He is almost out of hope that he will be surviving.

Resolution:

It was then Pi woke up with a mystical carnivorous islands, he finds a hope. He rested their for a moment, and at night he found out the real characteristic of that place, that he is lucky enough to realize that he didn’t became a victim of a lotus rather of that carnivorous island. He found another day to live and as he continues his journey, and there was an island of Mexico where he landed off.  Richard Parker went off the shore and found a jungle, there he left Pi and they separately live with their own worlds.

Theme:

Spiritual life as the only means to the way of survival:

The movie has shown the real essence of having spiritual life during certain circumstances. For it will bring hope to every hopeless situation and will keep us alive despite hunger and thirst, this will never let us drown from the deep waters that seems to swallow us.

Symbolism:

Richard Parker/Tiger- an animal that when referred to a person is aggressive, audacious and fierce. His role is a representation of people who are sometimes hard to be reached out because of their strong personalities. But they also have soul, just what Pi believes what the tiger has. This symbolizes the inner heart of every person or animal; there will be no hard heart if a person shows goodness.

Mystical Island:

This Island is said to be carnivorous, which is the representation of the struggle for existence. Just like in some common situations we had, a person stabs people, for them to survive; they have to injure another species. Also it symbolizes that Life in the earth or in this world is full of deception that what we thought to be beautiful in our eyes could possibly harm us. If we will not be careful enough in sensing each danger that comes our way, we will not able to live long and exist in this world.

1. What does the title mean in relation to the film as a whole?

The movie was entitled as the life of Pi. The title life of Pi truly relates to the whole movie because it focuses on the struggles of Piscine from her young age, how he got his name, when he started to believe in God up to the stage of his life where he has that great struggle at sea and how he survived the circumstances together with his tiger- Richard Parker.  It is narrated by Piscine itself.

2. among the characters, to who can you relate to?

I can relate most to Piscine/ Pi’s character not because I have experienced also struggling alone at sea but the faith he has that makes him survive despite of hunger, thirst and hopelessness sometimes, is also the faith that keeps me intact as a person, keeping a strong hold to God even though everything that keeps you going was taken by the strong storms in life.  These characteristics of Pi, makes me see my inner strength in surpassing great challenges and making every bitter memories an aid to move on with a happy life.

3. Which part of the presentation struck you the most? Why?

The part of the movie that struck me the most is when Pi found that Richard Parker which is his only companion at sea is about to lose its life. He suddenly gives water to Richard Parker to make the animal survive; this makes me realize that even the man we have known to be courageous and hopeful has his weakest part where he would almost wanted to give up. And the part where he looked up the sky and called for his Mama and Papa has touched me so much because I felt fortunate enough to have my parents and family alive with me. But despite of this so much longing that he is fighting with; still he thanked God for giving a life to him and surrendered everything to his own creator. As a Christian, I have realized how important to always thank God for giving me a wonderful life, because not everyone could have it and most people today struggle so much to survive each day of their lives.

4. What is the movie’s message?

Generally, the writer of this story and the director of the movie want the audience to feel how hard it is to fight for your life. This movie wants us to appreciate what we have today, for we would not know what lays ahead our journey, like Pi, we could be alone or be left without our loved ones in an unexpected happening. It is also to teach us that in life, letting go is not easy for everyone, it make us cry so much, down to sorrow and depression, but no matter how painful to let go, we still have to continue living and face another journey. Each time that we learn to let go, we also learn to close another chapter of our lives and open another part with new experiences and new companions.

5. Did I like this in general? Why?

I really like the movie, because the story of Pi helped me gain more strength to pursue living with my dreams and I have learned various ways on how to deal with great storms in my journey and one way is by learning to appreciate those problems while conquering it all.

The lines are extraordinary that makes me listen more because I know I can get a lesson from it. The actor played his character in a very impressive way, how he cried makes me also want to cry. The settings are great, creative imagery, and the music got a very good timing to every scene, especially in the drama parts.

6. Did I agree with the main theme/purpose? Why or why not?

Yes I agree with the spiritual theme that I have seen on the movie. this gives me a reason to love God more and letting him direct my path.

7. What specifically did I like/dislike? Why?

I don’t like the part where hyena keeps on hurting the zebra...and making it as a food for its hungry stomach. I pity much the zebra, for it has no enough strength to fight the hyena. I can compare it to our society today, where strong forces always oppress those who can’t battle with them. The hyena reminds me of greed which hinders small people to go on.

8. Are there any aspects of theme which are left ambiguous at the end? Why?

The only thing that is unclear to me is the point that there is no rescue operation during the sink of the ship.  It appears to be exaggerated when a ship passed by and not recognizing Pi’s signal, I just find it awkward because this should has been shown to illustrate a realistic situation during accidents at sea.

9. How does this film relate to the things that are happening in your life?

I am a person who loves to deal with storm but gets weak sometimes. Recently, I am faced with great challenge on my part as a student and I feel so burdened that the person I expect to lift me up puts me down. I feel discouraged but I was retrieved when I reflected upon the dreams I want to pursue and to get myself a justice from what they thought me to be. This film is an exact description on how I struggle so much to attain life and build myself as a person. I am proud enough to say that like Pi, I am built with big faith that keeps me go on.

An Angel Left Her Wings

© Tina M. Marascia

I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.

She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.

She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.

She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

Her face, it is so perfect, she's sweet and soft and pure.

Sometimes she can be wilful and sometimes she is demure.

She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.

She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

Every person that has known her sees this light within her soul

I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.

She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows

this light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.

She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.

She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget about my pain.

She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace

I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.

And in that very moment when she came into my world, 

I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

She would be my sunshine, with a sweetness that won't end.

And when she grows up one day she would be my closest friend.

She would be the reason I would always try my best.

For my little angel baby girl would be my greatest test.

When God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.

Encircle her with love with everything you do.

Let her know God made her, and that He trusts you with her care.

Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

And when at night she finally says her prayers and goes to sleep

I Thank Him for my angel, and ask for him to always keep

a watchful eye and hand to protect her from this world.

Protect my little angel; protect my baby girl.

precious time with my precious mama! <3

Source: An Angel Left Her Wings, Daughter Poem http://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/an-angel-left-her-wings#ixzz2IPk90zzS 
www.FamilyFriendPoems.com 

This poem describes me as a daughter, I always wanted my mama to be happy through my little efforts, even though that her baby girl is growing I still want her to feel that I'm still always at her side. I am always special to my mom's eyes, she has always her words on me, that keeps me stand as a person, and whatever I wanted to achieve in life, she always loves to be at my back, helping me to achieve things. whenever I get sick, mama is not hesitant to stay up late just to watch how I’m doing, yes I do proved in many times in my life that when I am very well, my friends are my best companions, but when I’m worst, no one seems could understand me but only mama. She scolds me, she gets mad at me sometimes, but I knew that mama is just after my good will. This poem has made me realize how far I and my mama have been into, her care is the best comfort that soft beds nor luxurious life can't give.

# I have this little angel. For me she left her wings.

She has no idea how much happiness she truly brings.
She brightens up my days with her smiles and her laughs.
She helps me to remember all the blessings that I have.

(this stanza of the poem speaks how much mama wants to have me, despite of being warned by the doctor that she is not allowed to bear a child anymore, she still pursued to try, risking her health and life just to have me. she always makes me feel that I’m a big blessing to the family, and it is where I’m getting all the confidence in whatever I will do)

#her face, it is so perfect; she's sweet and soft and pure.

Sometimes she can be willful and sometimes she is demure.
She tries her very hardest to please and do what's right.
She gives the greatest hugs from morning until night.

(this is how mama have moulded me, even when I’m still a girl, she has always thought me to be strong and to never insist when I'm wrong. Yes, sometimes I’m stubborn, especially when I get mad at her, I don't even care to listen to her point, but at the end of every war we had, I still can't resist to have her hug or just a kiss to settle everything. As her only baby girl, I don't want mama to feel hurt,)

# every person that has known her sees this light within her soul

I know that in this whole great world, she has a special role.
She's helpful and considerate to everyone she knows
this light in her shines brighter as my angel grows.

When she sees someone is sad, it opens up her heart.
She wants to do all that she can; she wants to do her part.
She'll squeeze away the sorrow and make me forget about my pain.
She shows me where the sun is when we're hiding from the rain.

I know that God must love me, He showed me with His Grace
I knew just how completely when I saw my angel's face.
And in that very moment when she came into my world,
I knew that she was so much more than just my baby girl.

(this 3 stanzas reminds me of who I was during my growing up years, I am as soft as a cotton that I am too fragile to every situation. my heart could always feel compassion to those who are in need.. and know why I possess that attitude? because mama has always taught me to be like that, she has shown me the great value of having a loving and sweet heart. I know I am always a blessing to the people around me and mama never failed to make me feel how worthy I am as a person and as her daughter.)

# When God entrusts to you an angel, who has left her wings for you.
Encircle her with love with everything you do.
Let her know God made her, and that He trusts you with her care.
Be sure to make time for special moments with her to share.

(this is the most striking line for me in this poem, this summarizes how mama held me in her loving arms, that no matter what will happen I will still go back to her. she has molded me in God's words and makes me special in every moment of my life. whenever I’ll get back to the times of our quarrels and times we had our best bonds, I’m always thankful to god having her at my side. she is not just a mother to me, she never refuses to reach out with me and become my BEST FRIEND)

IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE!

Life is not easy, but to live a life is not impossible. This past year 2012 is not an easy to surpass, I've been challenged and been torn unto pieces in some instances. This year 2012 have given me some failures in my academics and brought me to fear of losing my dreams and goals. I feel down but in the middle of everything i was encouraged by my aunt to recover and go on. I realized that its not easy to reach all your goals, sometimes down fall must be experienced to make us feel the real essence of life in pain and in happiness. I have learned that all angers, heart aches, failures and struggles, are just temporary in life, that no matter will happen, it will all pass. I have learned to forgive those i have misunderstanding, and learned to cleanse my heart from all the hurts. All those experiences have given me one resolution for the 2013, never let anything bring you down, you'll be up and you'll be down as always, but never let go of what you always believe to be your strength, and always hold on to god.