JeanValjean

Jean Valjean is the central protagonist of Victor Hugo's 1862 novel Les Misérables. He is a man of immense physical strength and inner torment, whose life is shaped by his struggle for redemption. The novel begins with Valjean's release from nineteen years of imprisonment for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's starving children. His inability to find work or lodging due to his status as an ex-convict leads him to steal a silver candelabra from Bishop Myriel. When caught, Bishop Myriel, in an act of profound mercy, claims he gave Valjean the silver, thereby saving him from further punishment and setting him on a new path.

Adopting the alias Monsieur Madeleine, Valjean becomes a successful factory owner and mayor of a small town. He lives a life of piety and charity, attempting to atone for his past. However, his past relentlessly pursues him in the form of the relentless Inspector Javert, who is dedicated to upholding the law and sees Valjean's newfound success as a perversion of justice. Valjean faces a profound moral dilemma when he learns that an innocent man, mistaken for him, is about to be condemned. He reveals his true identity, sacrificing his freedom to save the innocent man, and is subsequently imprisoned.

Despite escaping prison once more, Valjean dedicates his life to protecting Cosette, the orphaned daughter of Fantine, a woman he had failed to help earlier in his life. He raises Cosette in secret, shielding her from the harsh realities of the world and Javert's pursuit. Valjean's journey is a powerful exploration of themes such as justice, injustice, redemption, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love and compassion.