Jean Valjean begins as a poor man pushed to the edge. He steals a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s hungry children and is sent to prison for it, where hard years turn him bitter and strong. When he is finally released, the world treats him like a criminal at every door. One act of grace from a kind bishop breaks through his anger and shows him a different way to live.
He remakes himself in quiet, practical ways, working hard, helping others, and hiding his past so he can keep doing good. He is powerful in body, yet what sets him apart is the steady work of his heart. He takes in Cosette, a mistreated child, and becomes the father she needs: patient, protective, and willing to give up comfort to keep her safe.
Valjean’s life is shaped by a constant test: the strict letter of the law versus the demands of conscience. Inspector Javert, who believes rules are everything, pursues him across the years. Valjean never stops fearing capture, but he keeps choosing mercy, even for those who would harm him. His courage is not loud; it shows in small, costly choices made again and again.
By the end, he stands as a symbol of change that comes from kindness and effort. He is not perfect, he worries, hides, and sometimes stumbles, but he keeps moving toward light. In a harsh world, he proves that a person can start over, become better, and protect love with quiet strength.
If I had learned to read I should not perhaps have stolen the bread. You see, I could not learn to read. When I was at the galleys, I learned. There was a school for convicts.
fromLes Misérablesby