Prompt: Analysis of the excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority'
Analysis of the excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority'
I. Outline for Analyzing the Excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' (Standard)
1. Outline Number 1
1.1. Introduction
- Brief overview of Hugo and his writing style.
- The excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' concludes the first part of Phang-tin in the novel 'The Miseries', depicting the uprising of authority, the authority derived from compassion and profound forgiveness that instills fear even in the cruel army of Giang Van-giang.
1.2. Body of the Essay
a. Character Gia-ve:
* Appearance:
- Facial expression: Possesses a 'terrifying countenance', so horrifying that Phang-tin, upon seeing it, feels 'a sense of death', having to 'cover his face and cry out in horror' seeking refuge in Giang Van-giang.
- Voice: Cold and harsh, only two words 'Hurry up!' but it's not just that, it's 'savage and insane, no longer human speech but the roar of a beast'...(Continued)
>> See the detailed outline for Analyzing the Excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' here.
2. Outline for Analyzing the Excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' Number 2
2.1. Introduction:
Analysis of 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority'
II. Sample Essay Analyzing the Excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' (Standard)
1. Analysis of the excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' - Sample 1
In his work, Vích-to Hugo is esteemed and adored by many readers. His creations often encapsulate values and humanitarian meanings. Among them, the novel 'Les Misérables' stands out. This piece vividly portrays the injustices of bourgeois society – the era in which the author lived. This is clearly demonstrated in the excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority'.
The central character of this epic novel is Jean Valjean – a thief evading police pursuit. To live peacefully, Valjean assumes the alias of Mayor Madeleine. In his new residence, the town of Montreuil-sur-Mer, Madeleine becomes a wealthy factory owner and the influential mayor. However, Inspector Javert always lurks, seeking to expose Madeleine's true identity. The excerpt 'The Exercise of Power to Restore Authority' recounts Inspector Javert's visit to the infirmary to apprehend Mayor Madeleine, also known as the thief Jean Valjean. Due to a promise to Fantine – a former factory worker, Jean Valjean requests a three-day delay from Javert. Javert refuses and loudly reveals Mayor Madeleine's true identity to Fantine. Ultimately, overwhelmed with despair, Fantine succumbs to her fate. Through this excerpt, the French author aims to address the authority of an individual and what defines that so-called 'authority'. Simultaneously, he artfully paints a panoramic view of society at that time.
Firstly, the character Inspector Javert in the work is a law enforcer, executing justice. His power is sanctioned by the government, protected by the state. Thus, in the course of his duties, he maintains a haughty demeanor. The moment he enters the infirmary, the grim countenance of the inspector terrifies Fantine, leaving her breathless. With just a few minor details, the author conjures the image of a ruthless, ferocious individual. To accentuate this characteristic, Hugo vividly describes Javert's speech. In response to Jean Valjean, Javert bluntly utters two words: 'Move along'. These words are delivered with a tone akin to 'the growl of a savage beast' rather than 'the voice of a man'. His gaze matches this demeanor, menacingly 'like a hook, piercing through to the marrow'. In the infirmary ward, Javert pays no heed to his surroundings, readily shouting and addressing people bluntly: 'What! Are you coming?' Not stopping there, Javert engages in crude behavior: grabbing Jean Valjean's collar. He considers his victory over 'a crafty and elusive opponent' like Jean Valjean as glorious. This triumphant attitude is further highlighted through his action of 'bursting into laughter' accompanied by mocking words: 'There's no mayor here anymore!'. To showcase his strength and authority, Javert interrupts and demands Jean Valjean to address him as 'Inspector'. Javert wants to emphasize the reality: he is no longer the timid inspector, on the contrary, the one who must bow is the 'noble mayor' Madeleine. Not stopping there, Javert loudly commands Jean Valjean to 'Speak up, speak up! Whoever talks to me must speak up!' 'I told you to speak up!' Saying these words, he asserts his authority, holding the right, working transparently, clearly, and without any obscurity. Moreover, his words and actions further demonstrate that he is a domineering and haughty individual. Although he is an inspector, a representative of the state law enforcement, he does not have the right to offend the honor, dignity of others. Hence, he scolds Jean Valjean 'I did not expect you to be such a fool', stamps his feet, and curses Fantine 'You monkey, do you have a mute button!'. Moreover, he sarcastically sneers 'What a rotten country where prisoners are catered to like kings, and whores are treated like queens!'. Finally, the indifference of Inspector Javert indirectly caused the tragic death of Fantine. Thus, with a sharp pen, Hugo highlights the portrait of a heartless, soulless, and inhumane character like Javert. He always relies on his position to carry out 'abominable' actions. Holding immense power from the legal system, he utilizes it to the fullest, forcing Jean Valjean to obey every order. Furthermore, he is willing to call soldiers to grab the innocent thief Jean Valjean. Therefore, Javert is restoring authority in front of Mayor Madeleine, the one whom he once bowed to.
Moving forward, in this excerpt, the character Jean Valjean is also seen as someone restoring authority. With love and compassion, Jean Valjean has endeared himself to the people of Montreuil-sur-Mer, who elected him as mayor. In the eyes of Fantine, Jean Valjean is reliable and trustworthy, someone she can rely on. Each time faced with the menacing inspector, Fantine seeks help from Mayor Madeleine, saying 'Mr. Madeleine, save me!'. It can be seen that Jean Valjean's authority is not only established by social status but also by the trust of the people. Despite his exposed identity as a wanted thief, Jean Valjean still demonstrates authority. When seeing Javert at the infirmary, Jean Valjean realizes he has truly been exposed. He doesn't show fear or worry but calmly says 'I know what you want to say'. Or when Javert grabs his collar, he doesn't struggle but straightforwardly calls out his name, lacking in courtesy, 'Javert'. Jean Valjean only humbles himself before the inspector to propose a condition: postpone for three days. He speaks in a soft tone, addressing 'sir' – 'I'. Although reluctant to bow before his hated adversary, Jean Valjean still does so to fulfill his promise to Fantine. After witnessing Fantine's death, he boldly accuses Javert, 'You've killed this woman'. The climax, the action of breaking the bedpost, holding it firmly, glaring, and softly saying 'I advise you not to disturb me now' frightened Javert. Thus, just moments ago, Javert was haughtily giving orders, now it's completely reversed. Having made preparations for the deceased, Jean Valjean takes the initiative, calmly telling the inspector in a concise sentence 'do as you please now'. Unlike Javert, Jean Valjean carries the authority of someone willing to do everything to fulfill obligations from the conscience. Jean Valjean uses that authority to suppress the malicious, callous, and cold-blooded like Javert.
With dramatic plot development, vivid language, and character description through various perspectives, author Victor Hugo vividly depicts the portraits of two characters, Jean Valjean and Javert – two individuals with different authorities. If Javert is the law enforcer, cold-hearted, working like a pre-established machine, then Jean Valjean is someone who acts based on conscience, ethics. Although Javert has mastered his own power, not bowing to anyone, it doesn't intimidate Jean Valjean. Standing in the position of a wanted criminal in hiding, Jean Valjean still demonstrates his authority by making Javert – the powerful inspector – afraid. Thus, Jean Valjean truly restores authority.
With just a short excerpt, Hugo brings forth vivid images of the social situation at that time. Moreover, he skillfully expresses viewpoints on authority in an individual. That authority is built from the power of love, sacrifice, and pure conscience. Over time, the humanistic values of the work will continue to shine brightly.
In the Literature program for Grade 10, students will also encounter topics related to the work 'Under the Shadow of the Royal Blue' such as Analysis of the Character Thanh in 'Under the Shadow of the Royal Blue' or the best, Analysis of 'Under the Shadow of the Royal Blue', The Significance of the Title 'Under the Shadow of the Royal Blue'... Students can refer to these to do well in these essays while also reinforcing their understanding of the work.
2. Analysis of the excerpt The Authority Restorer - Sample 2
Victor Hugo (1802-1885), an early blooming genius of world literature throughout the 19th century and continuing to this day, was a multifaceted individual who left his indelible mark in nearly every artistic field he engaged in. Particularly, through valuable experiences accumulated during his tumultuous childhood, and a life lived in a century of revolutionary upheaval, Hugo created timeless works which he himself described as 'An echoing voice of the era'. Les Misérables is known as one of his outstanding and famous works in the vast treasure trove of Hugo's creations, a work imbued with high humanistic values, written for those wretched souls struggling amidst a life full of pain. The excerpt 'The Authority Restorer' at the end of the first part of Fantine in the work Les Misérables, narrates the resurgence of authority, an authority born from love, deep forgiveness that even the tyrants fear, of Jean Valjean.
The excerpt notably features the characters Javert and Jean Valjean, in a somewhat ironic way, Javert is the companion throughout the novel with Jean Valjean, he is an extremely vigilant spy, responsible in his work, however, this also brings many drawbacks. The outward appearance of this character is depicted through encounters with Jean Valjean, he has a 'terrifying visage', so terrifying that Fantine 'nearly faints', having to 'cover her face and cry out in terror' seeking refuge with Jean Valjean. His voice is cold, sharp with just two words 'Hurry up!' not only that it is 'barbaric and mad, no longer a human voice but the growl of a beast'. Especially his gaze is described in a very special way, deeply impressing the reader, it is a look like a 'metal hook', 'pulling back countless miserable souls', a gaze that makes others feel frightened to the core of their being. Even the smile, which is supposed to be the wonderful gift of humanity bestowed by nature, to express joy and happiness, but that smile emitted from Javert brings a dreadful feeling, it is a smile 'horrifyingly revealing all his teeth'. Combining all these characteristics, Javert's behavior is no different from a hungry, long-starved beast devouring prey with all its might and horror. It seems that all these outward appearances have nearly revealed the inner world of Javert, before Fantine - a dying patient, he shouts making the patient terrified, not only that he cruelly speaks the truth that Cosette, Fantine's daughter, has not returned, delivering a heavy blow to the poor woman. Fantine still clings to a last ray of hope that the kind mayor could bring her daughter back, but Javert ruthlessly cuts it off, cutting off even the life of Fantine with the cruel truth that the mayor is a criminal, there is no 'M. Madeleine' anymore only 'a bandit, a convict'. Even facing such deep maternal love, Javert still appears with the soul of a cold-blooded person, a demon, he goes insane due to Jean Valjean's accusations without feeling any remorse, regret, or pity for the one who just breathed her last on the sickbed. From all these expressions, we can see that Javert's inner self is the image of a ruthless demon, the nature of a vicious beast, no longer human.
The wielders of power restoring authority is a remarkable excerpt from Huy-go's novel The Miseries, to delve deeper into the work, besides the Analysis of the wielders of power restoring authority excerpt, you can also read: Character analysis of Phăng-tin in the excerpt of The wielders of power restoring authority, Analysis of the two contrasting personalities of Gia-ve and Giang Van Giang in The wielders of power restoring authority, Analysis of the conclusion of The wielders of power restoring authority. From there, make remarks about romantic art, Analysis of the character image of Giang Van-giang in the excerpt of The wielders of power restoring authority has been updated in the reference documents of the good grade 11 essays or the Analysis of Thanh's mood in the final passage of the story, make sure to read them!
