Les Miserables

A rainy Saturday morning in the Avery/Raab house: hot chocolate, a new apple cake, and a basic introduction to ethics, the mutability of character traits, socialism and economic justice, war fever and the worth of sacrifice, and true love, courtesy of a concert of Les Miserables.

Steve showed the children a 10th anniversary concert of Les Mis, staged in London, and broadcast by the BBC. There was a live orchestra and the full cast of singers, but it was not the full theatrical production - just the songs, one after the other.  Still, there proved to be plenty of fodder for discussion.

For instance:
Was Javert right in thinking that once Jean Valjean was a thief, he was forever a thief? Or could people change, and bad people could become good?

Why were the poor people so poor? Was it fair that they had to work so hard for nothing?

Was it worth it to fight and maybe die, so that others could have a better life? What would make that a worthy sacrifice? And then if you fall in love, or have children, or other responsibilities, what then? Should you still go and fight?

Why is Eponine so sad? Why doesn't Marius love her back?

And my personal favorite: should Jean Valjean speak up, and admit he is the real culprit (and go to jail), or should he stay silent and let an innocent person go to jail in his stead?

Our conclusions: our children are socialists, and pacifists, and are skeptical about the ability of people to change their true natures.  And, while they were able to identify the ethically correct choice (Jean Valjean should declare himself), both declared that they wouldn't do it.  Steve was a bit incredulous - kept asking, in different ways, if they would really allow an injustice to occur because of their own cowardice and self-interest - and they were sure. Of course they are children, but it still stuck in both of our heads.