Yip1982
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Valjean's role in Fantine's dismissalCould it be that Valjean inadvertently made a mistake in dismissing Fantine from the factory? Or could Valjean have felt the pressure to restore order after the brawl over Fantine's letter?
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Jordan
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In the show (I haven't read the book for a VERY long time so can't comment) Valjean DOESN'T dismiss Fantine. He tells the foreman "I look to you to sort this out and be as patient as you can."
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Paula74
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His only "mistake" or part in her dismissal is in trusting the sleazy foreman to deal with it. I'd even give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't know what a creep the foreman was...that the foreman was always on his best behavior around him and that none of the workers complained since this was an era before unions and sexual harassment lawsuits.
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AndrewShatterhand
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| Paula74 wrote: | | I'd even give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't know what a creep the foreman was...that the foreman was always on his best behavior around him and that none of the workers complained since this was an era before unions and sexual harassment lawsuits. |
That's how I've always understood it. There's a lyric that goes something like...
And the boss,
He doesn't know
That the foreman is always in heat;
If Fantine doesn't look out, watch how she goes
She'll be out on the street
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Paula74
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Thanks for the lyric quote. I vaguely recalled there was some line that justified my line of thought, but it's been ages since I listened to any recording in full...I just put the random songs I like on my iPod.
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PappyCat
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Yeah, doesn't Valjean leave and THAN the foreman fires her?
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Fantine
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Correct.
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