Valjean keeps his promise to Myriel. He leaves his hate-felled life behind and dedicates himself to helping others. He moves to another town, takes a new name and works to help the town prosper, later becoming their mayor. But in doing so, he breaks parole. This prompts Javert, an angry, vengeful police officer, to pursue Valjean in order to return him to prison.
The novel and the musical
The musical is based on Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Miserables. It is set in 19th-century France during a time of major protests. Throughout the story, Valjean assists many individuals, in particular an orphan named Cosette.
He had promised her dying mother he would take care of her child, so Valjean raises Cosette as his daughter. He also rescues the young student rebel Marius, who eventually marries Cosette. Every person Valjean encounters is impacted by his love, including Javert, who can't understand or accept it.
The musical first opened in Paris in 1980 and on Broadway in 1987. As of today, the award-winning musical has been performed in 44 countries and enjoyed in 22 different languages.
Info Cloud
To err is human. 犯錯是人性，或是人都會犯錯。
Welcome back to Info Cloud, friends. Anne Marie, I have something to tell you. During the last break, I accidentally dropped your bag on the floor. I think I heard something break inside.
Oh! Hmm. Well, that's OK, Rex. To err is human. I can forgive you.
Thank you. That's a relief. I really like that quote you just said. It's from a poem by Alexander Pope written in the 18th century.
That's right. "To err is human" is a way to say everyone makes mistakes or we all do wrong things at one point or another.
But that's not the end of this phase. The full quotation goes: To err is human; to forgive, divine. Can you explain that to our students?
Sure. The word divine in the sentence is referring to God. He is the one who can forgive us when we do wrong. This quote is saying when someone does something to hurt you, we should forgive them, just like God.
I see. Well, I'm glad you weren't too upset about your bag. Don't worry, Rex. I believe to err is human, and to forgive, divine.
中國有一句成語「人非聖賢，孰能無過」，英文也有類似的說法: To err is human. 犯錯是人性，或是人都會犯錯。這是由十八世紀英國詩人 Alexander Pope 所寫下的詩詞，人們常常用這句話來安慰犯錯的人。Don’t worry about breaking the glass. To err is human. 別擔心你打破玻璃杯，人都會出錯的。其實這句詩詞比較完整的說法是: To err is human; to forgive, divine. 犯錯是人性，寬恕是神聖的。除了安慰犯錯的人，還鼓勵人們要試著原諒別人，真的是很棒的一句經典名言。
Language Lab
prosper v. 變得很繁榮、發展得很成功(經濟、金錢方面)
/ˈprɑːspɚ/
to become very successful usually by making a lot of money;
to become very active, healthy, or strong
- That state did not prosper under the governor’s economic plan.
那一州沒有因為他們州長的經濟計畫而變得繁榮。
- The land prospered whenever there was enough rain in the winter season.
如果冬季雨水夠多，大地會變得繁榮。
prosperous adj. 繁榮的
having success usually by making a lot of money
- Hundreds of years ago, the ancient city was prosperous and many traders would travel from faraway lands to do business in the city.
好幾百年前，那座古城相當繁榮，有很多商人會從遙遠的地方到城裡做生意。
- The town grew prosperous thanks to the millions of tourists that visit every year.
那座小鎮變得繁榮，因為每年有上萬個人來觀光。
prompt v. 引起、造成
to cause (someone) to do something
- I know you’ve had this problem with Abe for a long time, but what finally prompted you to talk to him?
我知道你跟Abe 之間的問題已經很久了，但是是什麼讓你終於去找他談談呢?
- Most people in the office are afraid to go speak to the manager, but what prompted you to go see him?
辦公室裡大部分的人都不敢跟經理談話，但是是什麼事情促使你找他呢?
prompt adj. 速度快、準時
done or given without delay
- Mr. Johnson’s secretary is always very prompt and organized.
Johnson先生的秘書做事快又有條不紊。
- We have a big meeting tomorrow morning, and I need everyone to be prompt.
我們明天早上有很大的會議要開，我需要大家準時報到。
rebel n. 反抗者、反叛軍
a person who opposes or fights against a government
- The government knew the rebels were hiding in the mountains, but no one knew the exact location. 政府知道反叛軍躲在山裡，但是沒有人知道詳細地點在哪裡。
- The doctor was arrested because he had been helping the rebels.
那位醫生被逮捕，因為他有再支援反叛軍。
rebel n. 叛逆的人
a person who opposes a person or group in authority
- Mrs. Klein is worried about her daughter’s boyfriend because he is a rebel at school.
Klein 女士很擔心她女兒的男朋友，因為她在學校很叛逆。
rebel v. 反抗、反叛
to oppose or fight against a government
- The people in the colonies wanted to rebel against the king.
殖民地的人想要群起反抗國王。
impact v. 對某人或事物有影響到
to have a strong and often bad effect on (something or someone) : affect
- Maggie never realized her broken marriage would impact the lives of her children and her grandchildren.
Maggie 從未想到她的破碎婚姻會影響到她的孩子及孫子們。
- The company is worried that the increase of cost in manufacturing their products might impact their revenue.
公司再擔心產品製作成本提高，可能會影響到他們的收入。
impact n. 非常大的影響
a powerful or major influence or effect
- Although the plan itself sounds good and is easy to carry out, we need to consider whether it might have a negative impact on the environment.
那個計畫雖然聽起來還不錯，而且不難執行，但是我們必須考慮到它是否會給環境帶來不良影響。
impact n.衝擊力、撞擊力
the act or force of one thing hitting another
- When the dog jumped on Ron, the impact knocked Ron off his feet.
狗跳到Ron身上的時候，衝擊力大到把Ron給撞倒了。
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