English for Academic and Profession Purposes

Lesson: Critique Paper

What is a Critique?

 kruh-TEEK

 A detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political

theory

Synonyms: Review paper, Reaction paper, evaluation

THE STRUCTURE AND LANGUAGE OF THE CRITIQUE

 PRESENTS A BALANCED VIEW OF THINGS

 Not only based on personal perspectives but should be grounded on actual observations

 Background information should be provided for the readers

 Relate your critique to greater realities (ex. What values are presented in the film? Are these
values relevant/important in the present?)

PARTS OF THE ESSAY WHAT YOU NEED TO INCLUDE

Introduction 1. The “hook” (the sentence that will capture the readers’
(Paragraph 1) interest)
-a quote, an anecdote, a question, statistical data, fact
or definition
Ex. Falling in love is like jumping off a cliff.
2. Thesis Statement
-What are you going to talk about in your essay?
Ex. Les Miserables is a timeless masterpiece that reflects
gender inequality, the different faces of humanity and the
existential question of what is good and what is evil.

Body 1. General Information and Summary of the

(Paragraph 2 to __) text/event/film/video/work
2. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses
3. Discuss the thesis statement in detail

Conclusion 1. Will you recommend this to others?

(Final Paragraph/s) 2. Why or why not?
3. What type of audience will appreciate this? (age,
gender, socio-economic background, religion, etc.)

Remember: Cite your sources throughout the essay.

Study the sample critique paper written by Ms. Urie Jugos in the next page and identify the structures of
a critique paper.
“Les Miserable: A Look at Life Without Rose-Colored Glasses”

by Urika Grace M. Jugos

“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…” These gut-wrenching lines from both the stage and
cinematic versions, will be forever etched in the audience’s hearts and thoughts. Indeed, “Les Miserables”
is a timeless masterpiece that reflects gender inequality, the different faces of humanity and the
existential question of what is good and what is evil.

“Les Miserables” was originally a novel by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862. This French
historical novel is hailed as one of 19th century’s greatest works. Adapted into a musical in the 1980s by
Claude-Michel Schonberg, “Les Mis” or “Les Miz”, has won multiple awards and is still one of the longest
running shows in Broadway. It was also turned into films in 1935, 1952, 1982, 1998, and in 2012. The
2012 film version, closely adapted from the stage play, was not just a hit at the box office but also won
several major awards during awards season.

The film mainly followed the life of Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman), a criminal, who
underwent life-altering circumstances and the other characters who directly or indirectly contributed to
what he went through. When Valjean escaped his prison, Police Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe)
attempted to hunt and capture him for almost fifteen years. Valjean afterwards became a mayor and
factory owner whose business employed Fantine (Anne Hathaway). Because of abuses in the factory
(which Valjean was unaware of), Fantine was fired from her job and soon had to become a prostitute to
raise her daughter Cosette. As she lay dying, Fantine accepted Valjean’s promise to save and raise
Cosette as his own. Valjean escaped with Cosette. Years later, they moved to Paris where a now grown-
up Cosette fell in love with Marius (Eddie Redmayne), a supporter of the planned rebellion against the
monarchy. The film climaxed with the bloody rebellion, where many of the uprisers were killed and where
Marius almost lost his life as well. Coinciding with the battle between the rebels and the Crown’s army,
was the long-awaited confrontation between Valjean and Javert.

“Les Miserables” was a timeless masterpiece that reflected gender inequality, the different faces of
humanity and the existential question of what is good and what is evil. Through the feminist lens, “Les
Mis” showed how society created an unfair existence for men and women. Fantine fell in love with a man
who left her pregnant. In the workplace, Fantine was the target for unwanted advances from her superior
who was male. When she did not return his amorous inclinations, she was illegally dismissed from her
only source of income; taking away the only means for her to support her young daughter. She was
forced into prostitution and was taken advantage of by many men, some of whom were from the nobility.
She eventually died from disease, clinging to the tenuous promise of a stranger (Valjean) that he will take
care of her daughter from thereon. Cosette was kept under the wing of others: first her mother, then
Valjean and then Marius, all of whom tried to protect her from the harsh realities of life. Her short stay at
the inn with the cruel husband and wife, though, gave her a glimpse of how cruel people could be.
Despite Eponine’s strong support for the rebellion, she could only stay at the sidelines, being a woman---
much like the way she had stayed beside Marius without ever confessing her true feelings.

The film also depicted the different faces of humanity. Brussat and Brussat (2012) wrote that “ Les
Miserables touches and moves us deeply with its depiction of this universal experience of the [tempest in
the heart]." Using the psychological approach, each character symbolized both the beauty and
dreadfulness of being human. Fantine, as do many mothers, chose to sacrifice everything, even her own
life, for her daughter. Valjean, having experienced cruelty at an early age, grew to become a
compassionate man after he was shown mercy by the bishop he initially robbed. Inspector Javert, a man
of rigid principles, saw only what he deemed as criminal in Valjean despite the latter’s attempts to redeem
himself. The young rebels who stood up against injustices committed by those in power, were symbols of
heroism and courage in that “lonely barricade, at dawn”. Cosette and Marius showed the purity of true
love in the midst of suffering and injustice; while Eponine was a figure of unrequited love that was still
unconditional.

Lastly, Valjean’s and Javert’s characters presented the existential question of what is good and
what is evil. Valjean’s need to feed his sister and family led him to steal bread, which eventually caused
him to go to prison and suffer more for years. Given the chance to escape, he did so to find a better life
for himself. When faced with the bishop who he tried to rob, he learned of compassion and absolution. He
took these lessons to heart and became someone who helped others as the mayor and a business owner.
He kept his promise to Fantine and raised Cosette as his own child. He even saved Marius in the middle of
the bloody rebellion, exposing himself to fatal danger as well. Finally, he forgave Javert’s cruelty for all
those years. On the other hand, Inspector Javert was a man who religiously and firmly held on to his
ideals and principles. He doggedly believed in law and order and that people cannot change. He was quick
to judge people and at times delivered his version of “justice” upon others. He hunted down Valjean
through many years and many cities. Finally, having found him during the fight between the rebels and
the royal guards, he attempted to recapture Valjean and when faced with the truth that he cannot,
decided to end his own life. These directly contrasting characteristics allowed for the audience to ponder
on what made humans good and what made them bad or evil, and on the choice between being right or
being kind.

In conclusion, the 2012 film adaptation of “Les Miserables”, though with a historical context that
may confuse the audience, was deserving of its many accolades and box office hit. According to Gossard
(2013) “Les Mis” is a masterpiece of a musical and provides a great film experience minus the historical
framework. Although, audience who appreciate history with their film should read information about the
novel first before watching the screen version. Its montage of superb acting from the stars, unforgettable
song renditions, period costume and setting were the perfect cocktail for a new classic work.
Furthermore, the film (as did the musical and the novel) presented the proverbial longings of the human
heart: freedom, love, justice and redemption, all of which resonate among audiences of different
backgrounds. This film is highly recommended to audiences who enjoy musical theater and period pieces.

Sources:

Brussat, Frederick and Brussat, Mary Ann. 2012.

https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/films/reviews/view/24509

Gossard, J. January 16, 2013.40 Acres Special.

https://alcalde.texasexes.org/2013/01/les-miserables-a-historians-review/