Some Thoughts on "Les Misérables"

While I haven’t seen too many stage musicals in my life, my favorite of all time would have to be "Les Misérables." Recently I bought the “Original Broadway Cast Recording” on iTunes (which I also have on CD somewhere), and after listening to it several times over the last few days, I’d like to share some thoughts that have come to mind.

My favorite character in the musical, hands down, is Éponine. There have been many times over the years that I’ve felt a special kinship with her. In the novel, she is described as having grown unattractive in adolescence due to her family’s poverty; whereas my spina bifida has left me in a wheelchair, which certainly made for an interesting childhood and adolescence, and hasn’t really helped my romantic life.
However, I’ve recently gained a deeper appreciation of a different aspect to the character, thanks in part to a video I came across featuring the actress who originally played Éponine on Broadway, Frances “Frankie” Ruffelle.
Here’s how Wikipedia describes the scene as depicted in the book:
“Distraught over the loss of Cosette, Marius goes to the barricade. He is armed with the two pistols Javert gave him months ago, and uses them both during the fighting. While he is unarmed and searching for a weapon, a soldier makes it inside the barricade and aims at Marius. Éponine puts her hand, and her body, in front of the musket, and the musket ball enters her, saving Marius’ life.”
In the musical, she is shot (it’s unclear by whom) as she reenters the barricade after delivering a letter for Marius. Following the shooting, as Marius cradles the dying Éponine in his arms, they sing the touching duet, “A Little Fall of Rain.” Frankie Ruffelle’s excellent performance of that song, which I alluded to above, can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOSY1KFxCi4
Watching the above video, and knowing the “back story,” I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ words in John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Those who make sacrifices for our freedom today should be honored. The One Who gave his life on the cross should be worshipped and obeyed.
Another thing that has stuck in my mind in recent days is from the song “Red and Black,” which occurs earlier in the musical. Marius, fresh from having met Cosette, arrives at “the ABC Café,” where some of his friends are discussing their plans for revolution (what became known as the “June Rebellion” -- see below). One friend, Joly, remarks that Marius looks like he’s seen a ghost, and he responds: “A ghost you say... a ghost maybe/She was just like a ghost to me/One minute there, and she was gone!”
Another friend, Grantaire, then says to his comrades, in part: “You talk of battles to be won/And here he comes like Don Juan/It’s better than an opera!”
The leader of the group, Enjolras, then speaks up: “It is time for us all/To decide who we are/Do we fight for the right/To a night at the opera now?/Have you asked of yourselves/What’s the price you might pay?/Is it simply a game/For rich young boys to play?”
This may be a bit of a stretch, but I hope you’ll stay with me. The point I would like to make here is this: While some fun is good (see, e.g., Prov. 17:22 -- “A cheerful heart is good medicine...”), in the words of Stephen R. Covey, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Enjolras was trying to remind his friends to keep in mind why they were there. For us in 21st century America, we need to remember that there’s a war on, and it’s not just between radical Islam and the West, much less Republicans and Democrats or conservatives and liberals. As Paul reminded the Ephesians, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph. 6:12) The politicians who say that we need to have a “truce” on the social issues (mainly abortion and traditional marriage) in order to win votes -- and there are some on both sides -- either don’t know or have little regard for what the Bible says. They and the mainstream media may bemoan the “polarization” of politics, but I would remind them of what was written to the church at Laodicea:
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:15-20)

Whenever I hear “Do You Hear The People Sing” (which follows “Red and Black”), I am stirred with emotion and long for this country to again be governed by those who serve as representatives of the people, not tyrants. I don’t know much about the June Rebellion, but France has a long history as a very secular nation and many of the students involved in that uprising were undoubtedly led more by self-interest than a sense of moral leading. In contrast, many of the leaders of the American Revolution were devout Christians who believed their dependence on God and allegiance to Him was far more significant than their relationship to any earthly ruler. They declared their independence by reminding the king that “all men... are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (emphasis added).