The Bishop’s Candle-sticks

Summary:

‘The Bishop’s Candle-sticks’ is a play about a convict who breaks into the Bishop's house and is clothed and warmed. The benevolence of the Bishop somewhat softens the convict, but, when he sees the silver candlesticks, he steals them. He is captured and brought back. He expects to go back to jail, but the Bishop informs the police they are a gift. The act of the Bishop reforms the convict to a belief in the spirit of God that dwells in the heart of every human being.

Words’ Meaning:

·         settee :                 seat with high back

·         crucifix :               image of Jesus on the cross

·         candlesticks:         a holder made of metal in which a candle stands

·         Monseigneur:        My Lord (a title of respect given to a person of high rank)

·         Mon Dieu :            (French) My God

·         nincompoop :        idiot; fool

·         feeling poorly :      felt unwell; was not feeling well.

·         salt-cellars: containers to shake out salt and pepper kept on the dining table.

·         Mere:                             Mother (pronounced mair)

·         Gringoire:             pronounced Grin-go-ah

·         bailiff :                  an officer of the court.

·         dot:                      dowry

·         presently:             shortly; soon

·         comforter:             muffler

·         dupe:                    a person who is easily deceived

·         scamp:                  a rascal/vagabond

·         parish:                  an area with its own church

·         too old a bird to be caught with chaff: too old to be duped

·         wolf:                     hunger

·         entrails:                intestines

·         to be at the beck and call of: to obey

·         ne'er-do-well:       a good for nothing

·         voraciously:                    greedily

·         Virgin:                   Mary, Mother of Jesus

·         prison hulks:         ships used as a prison houses

·         start me fair:         enable me to get a good start in life.

·         slinking:                moving stealthily

·         dogged :               stubborn

·         prie-dieu:              kneeling desk for use in prayer

Textbook Exercise:

1.   Do you think the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars? Why/ Why not?

Answer:

I think that the Bishop was right in selling the salt-cellars. A Bishop is a religious person who is not only supposed to talk but act religiously. A Bishop always talks about humanity from the point of view of religion. Here, the Bishop has done the right thing by selling the salt-cellars as they have been used for Mere Gringoire who has been ill and bed-ridden. This help to Mere Gringoire justifies Bishop’s selling of salt-cellars.

2.   Why does Persome feel the people pretend to be sick?

Answer:

Persome feels that the people pretend to be sick because they always want some person (like Bishop) to help them financially and to come at their place for prayers. She means to say they always seek sympathy of others.

3.   Who was Jeanette? What was the cause of her death?

Answer: Jeanette was Convict’s wife. She died of illness and hunger.

4.   The convict says, "I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff." What does he mean by this statement?

Answer:

The convict says, "I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.” He means to say that Bishop shouldn’t use any trick because he (Convict) is an experienced person. He will not get fooled by anyone or anything easily.

5.   Why was the convict sent to prison? What was the punishment given to him?

Answer:

Convict was a family person. He was jobless. His family did not have enough food to eat. His wife was ill. He was helpless as he couldn’t do anything. In such circumstances, he stole money to buy food. He was caught and was sent to prison for this.

Convict was given ten years of punishment.

6.   Do you think the punishment given to the convict was justified? Why/ Why not? Why is the convict eager to reach Paris?

Answer:

The punishment given to the Convict was not justified.

A punishment can be justified from the motive of the crime. Here, the crime done by the Convict was to save his dying wife. He committed the crime of stealing money under such circumstances for which he should have not been punished.

The convict is very eager to go to Paris because he has escaped from the jail and police are after his life. Once he reaches Paris, it would be difficult for policemen to search for him as Paris is a big city and he would not be recognized there. He also wants to start a new life there as a good human being.

7.   Before leaving, the convict asks the Bishop to bless him. What brought about this change in him?

Answer:

The Convict was a good person who became bad (criminal) as a result of circumstances. He lived a miserable life in the ‘hail’ jail. It has made him believe that there is nothing called as good human being. But Bishop’s kind, helpful behavior and calling him ‘friend’ has touched his heart. The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend to him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. That is the reason he asks Bishop to bless him before he leaves for Paris.

Extra Questions:

1.   Identify the situations which be termed as the turning points in the convict's life.

Answer:

The Convict, when was caught and brought to the Bishop’s house, was asked to be released by the Bishop saying that he is a friend to him. The Bishop also gives him his mother’s only memory i.e. candle-sticks. This entire incidence makes convict believe that there still exists humanity. This is the turning point in the convict’s life.

2.   The Convict goes to Paris, sells the silver candlesticks and starts a business. The business prospers and he starts a reformatory for ex-convicts. He writes a letter to the Bishop telling him of this reformatory and seeks his blessings.

As the convict, Jean Valjean, write the letter to the Bishop.

Answer:

Jeanette Mansion

#6, Love Avenue

Paris 7541102

November 18, 2014

Dear Bishop,

I know that you will not remember me because it has been a long time we accidently met, and also because you have helped so many people, that you may not remember all the names and faces. But I will always remember you in my prayers as my encounter with you has changed my life. 

Monsieur, I am the convict who stole your candle-sticks. You gifted me those candlesticks and with your well wishes, I have made a good fortune in Paris. But this is not the final destination of my work. I have got the vision what I am supposed to do, and thanks to you. 

The way you helped me in realizing that God is there everywhere, in every good act, I have started looking for God in other prisoners. I have started a reformatory for ex-convicts. Here, I along with other trained counselor, counsel. We make them understand that they are the result of some bad circumstances. We also help them in by providing employment. We train them in cooking food, selling items in the market, communication skills, etc.

Monsieur, I am not doing anything great but just trying to give other what once you gave me, and I became a good human being.

Remember me in your prayers. I want you to visit my reformatory once and guide people here.

Yours thankfully

Jean Valjean