Character Analysis - Les Miserables

In the unique, Les Miserables, by Victor Hugo, the protagonist, Jean Valjean changes throughout the
course of the unique from a contemptible, conniving ex-convict to a noble, compassionate, and brave
guy. During his time in prison, Jean Valjean's heart becomes corrupted; he recognizes the world
detests him for who he is. However, a bishop called Myriel reveals him great kindness and
compassion for him, which changes him permanently. In a little town, Montreuil-sur-mer, Valjean
brings back financial and social balance as well as love and embrace an orphan lady. Because of one
male's basic acts of veneration, Jean Valjean swears to devote his life to goodness and vindicates
himself and showing that he has actually genuinely changed. In the beginning of the unique, Valjean
emerges from prison as a solidified crook who hates society; Myriel, nevertheless, forever
modifications Valjean's character, as Myriel obliges him to become an honorable individual, which
leads Valjean to support a town in need. Myriel deals with Valjean with compassion, and Valjean pays
back the bishop by taking his flatware. When the bishop pertained to him, he stated, "Do not forget,
ever, that you have guaranteed [him] to use this silver to end up being an honest man. Jean Valjean,
who had no recollection of any such pledge, stood dumbfounded. The bishop had actually worried
these words as he spoke them. He continued solemnly, 'Jean Valjean, my bro, you no longer belong
to wicked, but to great" (73 ). When the authorities arrest Valjean, Myriel covers for him, declaring that
the silverware was a gift. The authorities launch Valjean and Myriel makes him assure to become an
honest man. Eager to fulfill his pledge to his hero, Valjean masks his identity as Madeleine and brings
the town of Montreuil-sur-mer success and peace. Under a new identity, Cosette, a young orphan
who was abused, is a flesh manifestation of Jean Valjean’s love and compassion. He realizes not
only is he capable of loving someone, but passing on love to others. When Valjean find out the
Thenardier family, who supposedly took care of Cosette, only used her as their main source of
income since they were paid to become caretakers and abused her, it only drove to become more
indulgent. Although it is not his obligation to adopt Cosette, Valjean decides to do so anyway, “love
came, and he again grew strong. Alas! he was no less feeble than Cosette. He protected her; and she
gave strength to him. Thanks to him, she could walk upright in life; thanks to her, he could persist in
virtuous deeds. He was the support of this child, and this child was his prop and staff” (383). Valjean’s
unconditional love for his daughter changes the way he is throughout the novel. This is another way
Valjean keeps his promises and repay what he had done in the past. Jean Valjean’s love is clearly
shown through his adopted daughter, Cosette, whom he feels sympathy and cherishes. He is
exceptional in his mental strength and his willingness to discover what is good, and this earnestness
is enough to make him the novel’s hero as well as a savior and a friend to a number of people who
find themselves in danger. Though many are convinced of Jean Valjean’s change in personality,
Javert the chief police, discovers Valjean’s criminal records and his real identity. The novel’s
antagonist, Javert, is chasing after Valjean, only to arrest him for a fraud identity. In Javert’s point of
view, “to owe life to a malefactor . . . to be, in spite of himself, on a level with a fugitive from justice . . .
to betray society in order to be true to his own conscience; that all these absurdities . . . should
accumulate on himself—this is what prostrated him” (457). Javert is unable to comprehend his
enemy’s love for humanity. Though his goals are evident to Valjean, he risks his life to save Javert.
This is one of Valjean’s greatest conquest as the hero of the story: saving an enemy. Torn between
the future and his mores, Valjean chooses to spare Javert’s life, who later grants Valjean’s freedom
from prosecution. In Victor Hugo’s masterful, Les Miserables, an apathetic ex-convict, Jean Valjean,
slowly molds into a noble, compassionate, and heroic man under various circumstances and his
encounters. Though his experiences in prison hardens his heart, Valjean transform into a completely
different person because of one man’s doing: Monsieur Myriel, who shows him love and respect,
despite his wicked nature. As a result, Valjean’s life is changed and gives others the same
compassion that was given to him. As his life drastically changes, Jean Valjean becomes the central
figure of this novel and becomes the moral hero of the story.

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