Monday, April 29, 2013

Les Misérables: Y is for Youthful Yearnings



"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life."   Proverbs 13:12 



We've all had longings or yearnings during our lives, especially when we were young. Having the whole world before us, we could dream about what could be.  But, there's another sort of yearning which we see in three female characters (is it always the women who dream?)



Young Cosette dreams of a better life, free from bondage. She longs for her mother's touch.



Photo Source



Castle on a Cloud

"There is a lady all in white
Holds me and sings a lullaby
She's nice to see
And she's soft to touch
She says, 'Cosette, I love you very much.'

I know a place where no one's lost
I know a place where no one cries
Crying at all is not allowed
Not in my castle on a cloud."




Fontaine also yearns for love. A man who will love her for herself, not for what she can give him. She expresses that longing in the well-known song:




Photo Source


I Dreamed a Dream

"I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.

I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seemed
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed."





Eponine yearned for a different sort of life. A normal life. A life with Marius. Of course, they are worlds apart, but just for a moment, she believes in her dreams.



Photo Source
On My Own

". . . On my own
Pretending he's beside me.

All alone I walk with him till morning. . .

And I know it's only in my mind
That I'm talking to myself and not to him
And although I know that he is blind
Still I say there's a way for us. . .

But everyday I'm learning
All my life I've only been pretending
Without me his world will go on turning
A world that's full of happiness that I have never known. . . "




Here is the "On My Own" performance:







Did you know that God knows and cares so much, that He keeps track of our tears?



You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle.  Are they not in your book?  Psalms 56:8




Is it a comfort to know God sees your need?



15 comments:

  1. Les Miserables is one of the most spiritual books I've ever read. I first read it years ago in high school and was very moved by it. I was really happy (and very surprised) when it came to Broadway as a musical and everyone became familiar with this wonderful story. Haven't yet seen the film however-- I think first I've got to get over my prejudice against Anne Hathaway....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are right, Karen. . . It's full of spiritual nuances. I'm glad, too, it has become popular with the public. Curious about your view of Anne Hathaway. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  2. That is one of my absolute favorite Bible verses. It creates such a vivid image, doesn't it?!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hello!
    Les Miserables is a moving story, book, musical and film. People just can't seem to get enough of it!
    Stopping by from A-Z.
    Alicia

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So true, Alicia, and neither can I. Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete
  4. WOW, you really hit it spot on! I have just come across your blog, and I want to read all of your entries! I LOVE Le Miserables. Amazing insights you have !!!

    visiting from A~Z
    www.wearinglemon.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you resonate with the post, Deb. As you can see, I can't get enough or see enough in Les Misérables. Thanks for your visit!

      Delete
  5. I have not seen this version of Les Mis yet, but your post is making me want to see it. I think the casting is excellent.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's truly a dynamite cast. Hopefully, you can still see it on the big screen!

      Delete
  6. Great post. I'm not a fan of the movie, but I love the way you use it to show how much God cares for us no matter what! The verse in Psalms is encouraging. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Bethie! I'm glad it was an encouragement to you. . .

      Delete
  7. It is a comfort to know God sees what's in our hearts. Making my way through the whole road trip after a-z, closing in the final block. Pick up your momentum again.
    Still blogging after A-Z

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good for you, Sandy! I hope to do the same in a few weeks.

      Delete

I would love to have you comment...thanks!

Journey into the Promised Land

Journey into the Promised Land
From Egypt to Israel