Jean Valjean

Jean Valjean (1769-1833) was a French convict, businessman, and politician who served as Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer from 1815 to 1823. Valjean was imprisoned at the Bagne of Toulon for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving sister and her child, but he was released on parole in 1815. Valjean broke his parole after having difficulty finding work as a former convict, and, with the help of the generosity of Bishop Bienvenu de Miollis, Valjean started a new life for himself in Montreuil-sur-Mer, where he became the owner of a garment factory as well as the Mayor, using the pseudonym "Monsieur Madeleine". However, he gave up his alibi after another man, Champmathieu, was mistaken for Valjean and arrested by Inspector Etienne Javert, Valjean's former jailor, who was determined to recapture Valjean. Valjean was forced to flee, but, having promised the prostitute known as "Fantine" that he would take in her daughter Cosette, Valjean obtained custody of Cosette from the Montfermeil innkeepers Alain and Helene Thenardier and again attempted to start a new life in Paris under the pseudonym "Fauchelevent", taking his name from a man whom he had rescued from a runaway cart in Montreuil years earlier. In 1832, by which time Cosette had forgotten her past and come to see herself as Valjean's daughter, Valjean found that Javert had become the local police inspector, and, panicking that Javert must have found him, he made preparations for he and Cosette to flee to England. These preparations were foiled by the outbreak of the June Rebellion, as Cosette had fallen in love with the revolutionary student Marius Pontmercy, and Valjean volunteered to join the revolutionaries to keep Marius safe. In the process, he saved Javert from execution after Javert had been unmasked to the revolutionary leader Julien Enjolras as an undercover policeman, and he also saved Marius during the final National Guard assault on the barricades. Valjean lived long enough to see his adoptive daughter marry Marius in 1833, and he made plans to remove himself from Cosette's life while leaving her a letter explaining his criminal past. However, Cosette and Marius caught up to him at a nearby convent, where he bade them farewell before succumbing to his illness at teh age of 64.

Biography[]

Imprisonment and parole[]

Inspector Etienne Javert giving Valjean his letter of parole

Jean Valjean was born in France in 1769 to a family of humble means; he was orphaned as a child and worked as a tree pruner to provide for his widowed sister and her seven children. In the winter of 1795, the 26-year-old Valjean was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison for breaking the window pane of a bakery and stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family, and he was sent to the Bagne of Toulon to work as a galley slave. His attempts to escape the harsh conditions of the Bagne led to his sentence being extended to nineteen years, and he labored under the auspices of Inspector Etienne Javert, whom he impressed with his feats of physical strength. In 1815, Valjean was finally granted parole, and Javert gave him a strict itinerary which instructed him to march to Pontarlier and live there under severe restrictions.

Valjean travelling through the mountains

Valjean was forced to carry a "yellow passport" identifying him as a convict, rendering him an outcast wherever he traveled. During his journey, he was turned away by innkeepers due to his status as a convict, he was pelted with rocks by laughing street children, and he briefly found work at a farm before he was fired after demanding fair pay, as he was paid half of what the other workers received due to his criminal record. The judge Fabien Grandjean also sent guards to follow Valjean and ensure that he made it to Pontarlier within 30 days, and these guards occasionally beat Valjean whenever they believed him noncompliant with his parole terms.

In October 1815, however, Valjean was taken in by Bishop Bienvenu de Miollis, who found him sleeping in the cold. Bishop Bienvenu generously offered Valjean amenities such as wine, bread, and a place to sleep. During the night, Valjean awoke and stole the bishop's silverware and silver plates, intending to run off and start a new life by selling off the stolen goods. However, he was rearrested by his parole officers, and Arthur Sharpe told the Bishop that Valjean had gone so far as to claim that the Bishop had gifted him the silver.

Valjean being brought to face the Bishop by the constables

The Bishop lied to the constables and said that Valjean was correct, and he also gave Valjean his valuable candlesticks, chastising Valjean for forgetting that he had also gifted Valjean the best of the silverware. After seeing the constables off, Bishop Bienvenu then exhorted Valjean to see a higher plan in the theft of the silver, instructing him to use the precious silver and become an honest man, and saying that God had raised him out of darkness through Jesus' sacrifice and through the Bishop's sacrifice of the silver.

Mayor of Montreuil[]

A remorseful Valjean decided to do away with the hate inside him and his criminal past, and he decided to tear up his yellow passport, break his parole, and start his life anew under a pseudonym. Later that year, Valjean arrived in Montreuil-sur-Mer, where he revolutionized the town's manufacturing and earned a fortune. Valjean spent mostly for the town's good, including on hospital staff and beds, orphanages, and schools, and he was appointed Mayor after refusing the first time and declined King Louis XVIII's offer to make him a Knight of the Legion of Honor.

Valjean served as Mayor from 1815 to 1823, and, in 1823, he met the new inspector of police, Javert, whom he remembered from eight years ago, but who did not recognize Valjean. Valjean was nervous upon meeting Javert at his office, where Javert complimented Valjean's service as Mayor, and Valjean said that Javert was welcome to enforce the town's laws, and gifted him a rosary. When Javert said that it seemed to him that the two men may have met, Valjean merely commented that he wouldn't have forgotten Javert's face had they previously been introduced.

Just then, Valjean was called outside by his foreman Blaise Appell, as a man, Fauchelevent, was trapped under a runaway cart. As Javert watched, Valjean lifted the cart and rescued the man from under it, and a shocked Javert told Valjean that he had not seen a man Valjean's age who was as strong as he was, before recalling a man from years ago who had broken his parole. Javert then apologized for insinuating that the Mayor and Valjean were the same man, and, when Valjean asked him to say what he must, Javert again apologized and turned away.

Mayor coming across Fantine at the docks

The Mayor later came across commotion at the docks, where Javert had arrested the prostitute Fantine for attacking a dandy, Bamatabois, who had harassed her. The Mayor, recognizing Fantine as one of his former employees, ordered Javert to let her go, and he approached her to offer help. A spiteful Fantine spat at him, assuming that he was there to mock her, but he ignored the act and heard her out as she explained that her daughter was close to dying, and that she wished death upon herself over her daughter. Valjean, remorseful for his actions, and seeing that Fantine was sick, personally carried Fantine to the hospital, in spite of Javert's objections.

The next day, Javert reported to the Mayor and requested that he file charges against him for issuing a false report, as he had "mistaken" Mayor Madeleine for a convict. Javert also revealed that the real "Jean Valjean" had been rearrested and was due to appear in court that same day. Madeleine showed mercy, saying that everyone committed misjudgements during their lifetimes, and he asked Javert to return to his post. After Javert left, Valjean was conflicted over whether to let the innocent man be condemned and resume his new life and provide for his hundreds of workers, or whether he should reveal his true identity to spare the man wrongful conviction and return to being a fugitive.

Valjean confessing his guilt at Champmathieu's trial

After packing away his belongings, Valjean rode to Paris on a carriage and interrupted the trial of the vagrant Champmathieu, telling the judge that he was "24601". The judge assumed that the Mayor was unwell and had him leave, but Valjean told the judge to ask Javert if he didn't believe his claim, and he told the judge that he could be found at the hospital.

Valjean then went to the hospital to visit Fantine one last time before going on the run, and he found her, sick with tuberculosis, hallucinating about her daughter Cosette's laughter and singing. Valjean assured a dying Fantine that Cosette would live under his protection and that she would want for nothing under his care, and Fantine begged Valjean to tell her daughter that she loved her, and that she would see Cosette when she awoke. She then passed away in Valjean's arms, leaving Valjean with a new task.

Javert then entered the room and confronted Valjean, intent on arresting him now that he was certain of his true identity. Valjean retorted that there was something he had to do before Javert condemned him to a life of slavery again, telling Javert that Fantine left behind a suffering child, and that he needed just three days to intercede before returning to custody. Valjean and Javert argued as they fought - Valjean with a wooden plank, and Javert with his rapier - with Valjean insisting that Javert knew nothing of him, and Javert revealing that he was born inside a jail and was also from the gutter. While Javert cornered Valjean against a wall, Valjean was able to dive into the sea and escape, making his way to Montfermeil as a confounded Javert tailed him.

Rescuing Cosette[]

Valjean walking through Montfermeil with Cosette

Once at Montfermeil, on Christmas Eve of 1823, Valjean found the young girl Cosette drawing water from a well in the woods in the cold, and he showed the girl a doll to gain her trust before taking her back to the inn. He watched that evening as the innkeepers Alain and Helene Thenardier treated her badly, so he returned to the inn with a beautiful new doll for Cosette. This infuriated Helene, who decided that Cosette would be turned out onto the street the next day, Christmas. On Christmas morning, Valjean offered to take Cosette with him, and, while Helene agreed, Alain haggled for 1,500 francs in compensation for their care of Cosette, claiming that Cosette had been a sickly child and that her medicine was expensive. Valjean agreed to pay the price and assured Cosette that it would not be long before she forgot about the Thenardiers, and he took her with him as he took a wagon to Paris to start a new life. The Thenardiers, regretful of selling Cosette so cheaply, later told Inspector Javert about Cosette's whereabouts, and Javert followed Valjean and Cosette as they headed to Paris.

Valjean and Cosette evaded the law, escaping onto the grounds of a Paris convent, where Valjean ran into Fauchelevent - who was working as a groundskeeper there. Fauchelevent reminded Valjean that Valjean had saved his life, and that he owed him a great debt. Valjean said that he would give thanks for any help Fauchelevent could offer him and Cosette, and Fauchelevent had Cosette admitted to the convent school, while Valjean, going by the pseudonym of "Ultime Fauchelevent" (the name of Fauchelevent's late brother), posed as a philanthropist and gave Cosette a privileged upbringing over the next nine years. They lived at the convent until 1829, when Fauchelevent died, after which Valjean purchased three houses: on the Rue de l'Ouest (Rue d'Assas), Rue Plumet (Rue Oudinot), and Rue de l'Homme-Arme (Rue des Archives), mostly living in Rue Plumet.

June Rebellion[]

Valjean talking to Cosette in 1832 — Valjean talking to Cosette in their home, 1832

By 1832, Valjean and Cosette lived on the Rue de l'Ouest (now the Rue d'Assas) near the Luxembourg Palace, and Valjean was simply known as "the generous man from the St-Étienne-church". One day, Valjean was accosted by a man and wife asking for charity, but they recognized him and attempted to extort him; Valjean likewise recognized the two as the Thenardiers, and their attempt to rob him was foiled by Javert's arrival. Valjean snuck away from the scene as Javert confronted the criminals, and, that night, when Cosette - who had fallen in love with the student Marius Pontmercy at first sight - asked her father about their past (which she had forgotten) and why they lived a sheltered life, Valjean told her that answers would come in their time and in their turn, but insisted that they should continue to be careful.

Gavroche giving Valjean a letter from the barricade

That same night, Valjean was startled by the screaming of a girl outside, and, fearing that Javert was onto him, he told Cosette that they had to leave immediately and live another day. They travelled to the Rue de l'Homme-Armé as Valjean worked to find a ship out of Calais, but, that night, Valjean received a letter from the young boy Gavroche, who said that he was bringing Valjean a letter from the barricade. Valjean paid the boy and warned him to keep away from the barricade, and, when he read the letter, he discovered that it was a love letter from Marius to Cosette. Valjean, unwilling to see Cosette suffer from the loss of her love, decided to volunteer at the barricades to keep Marius safe.

Enjolras giving Valjean a knife to kill Javert

Valjean, disguised as a government soldier, approached the barricade and announced that he came as a volunteer. The revolutionary leader Julien Enjolras let him through, only for Valjean to be disarmed and held at gunpoint by the students. They told him that another "volunteer" had joined them, Javert, whom they were preparing to kill; Valjean then noticed a tied-up Javert in the tavern. Gavroche told the others not to harm Valjean, as he knew Valjean, and, just then, Valjean warned the revolutionaries about sharpshooters who were preparing to ambush the rebels. The revolutionaries killed the sharpshooters, and Enjolras thanked Valjean for saving his life. Valjean then asked Enjolras to hand over the spy Javert to him rather than thank him, and Enjolras agreed, with Gavroche giving Valjean a pistol, and Enjolras giving Valjean a knife.

Valjean shooting a wall after sparing Javert

Valjean then entered the tavern and cut Javert loose from his bonds. Javert taunted Valjean, saying that it was right for a bloodthirsty criminal to kill him with a knife, but Valjean assured Javert that his life was safe in his hands, and he cut him loose of his bonds. Javert, surprised, warned Valjean that he would continue to hunt him, and that Valjean still answered to Javert. Valjean assured Javert that he was wrong, and that he (Valjean) was no worse than any man; he also told Javert that there were no conditions or bargains necessary, and gave him his address on the Rue de Plumet for Javert to find him once the rebellion was over, saying that their paths would cross again. Valjean then shot a nearby wall, making it sound as if he had killed Javert, and he then returned to the others.

Valjean fighting alongside the revolutionaries

That night, as the revolutionaries sang a drinking song together, Valjean overheard Marius tell the others that he could not live without Cosette, and, after the revolutionaries went to sleep at the barricade, Valjean prayed for God to keep Marius safe and bring him home, as he had taken a liking to Marius and said that he was like a son he might have known, had God granted him a son. The next morning, Valjean witnessed Gavroche's death at the hands of the Army as he headed out to gather provisions for the revolutionaries, and he also aided the revolutionaries in holding off the Army as they launched their final assault. When Marius was shot and wounded, Valjean picked him up and escaped into the sewers as all of the other revolutionaries were killed.

Valjean, carrying an unconscious Marius, struggled through the sewers, where he found Thenardier looting the dead bodies and blocking the exit to Grand-Caillou. Valjean forced Thenardier to give him the key after shoving him under the sewage, and, when he exited the sewer with Marius, a sewage-covered Valjean was confronted by Javert, who had followed him from the barricades. Valjean requested that Javert let him bring Marius to safety and say goodbye to Cosette before he would turn himself in, and Javert - while threatening to shoot Valjean - silently acquiesced, as he felt indebted for Valjean saving his life. Javert agreed to wait for Valjean, and Valjean delivered Marius to his home; before he left, however, Valjean was surprised to see Javert walk away, and, unbeknownst to Valjean, Javert committed suicide shortly after.

Death[]

After Marius recovered from his injuries, he obtained Valjean's permission to marry Cosette, but, in his private meeting with Marius, Valjean revealed that he could not attend the wedding, and revealed the story of his criminal past and his unwillingness to risk Cosette forsaking him if she found out. Valjean then withdrew to the convent, where Marius and Cosette found him after their wedding, having learned of his location from the Thenardiers, who had watched Valjean leave. Valjean, who sat in a chair as he lost energy, was joined by Marius and Cosette, and Valjean told Cosette the name of her mother, Fantine, and entrusted Marius with Cosette's care. He passed away moments later, and he was buried in an unmarked grave, as per his last request.