Les Misérables - Victor Hugo

The writing of *Les Misérables* took decades and is deeply intertwined with France's history, culture, and social development. The life of Jean Valjean, a former convict, is filled with ups and downs. Even when faced with countless difficult choices, he remains steadfast in his faith, seeking light and ultimately achieving redemption. The miserable world portrayed in the novel is a reflection of reality, a world where the depths of human nature are intertwined with its brilliance. In this world, there are shadows, but there is also light, love, and happiness.

Victor Hugo, born in 1802 in Besançon, France, was a leading figure of the Romantic literary movement in early 19th-century France. He is often referred to as the "Shakespeare of France." His notable works include the novels *The Hunchback of Notre-Dame* and *Les Misérables.*

Transcript

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In 1831, Victor Hugo published *The Hunchback of Notre-Dame*, a book we have discussed in our first episode. At that time, he was not thirty yet, but he began to conceive of a new novel during this period. He spent more than a decade gathering materials and brewing ideas, searching for the perfect opening sentence. However, when Napoleon III came to power, Hugo’s life took a dramatic turn due to their political differences. He became a target of the government and entered the darkest period of his life—nineteen years in exile.

During his exile, Hugo continuously worked on his novel, revising its content over and over. This novel, which took nearly thirty years to complete, was born out of a time of deep despair and required a tremendous amount of effort. Hugo’s sharp eye captured the misfortunes and hardships of the ordinary people, and he wrote them into his book, portraying an entire world of misery. The story is gripping and full of twists and turns, and the book is quite thick. Hugo incisively addressed three major issues: 0:40

poverty brings men to ruin, hunger drives women to degradation, and darkness weakens children—all encapsulated in these three sentences. The entire story revolves around an honest worker named Jean Valjean. His story begins in 1795, a time when all of Paris was celebrating its hero, Napoleon, who was rising like the morning sun in Italy. Meanwhile, Jean Valjean was imprisoned simply for stealing a loaf of bread. This contrast shows that behind the bright moments of history, there are unseen hardships. During his imprisonment, Jean Valjean attempted to escape three times, disappearing miraculously into the sea and evading capture in the streets of Paris. He faked his own death, forged identities, and eventually amassed great wealth and built a large enterprise, even serving as a local official at one point.

As we read, we can’t help but wonder how one person’s life could be so filled with bumpy. The persecution by society and the harshness of reality gradually transformed Jean Valjean from a naturally good-hearted man into a beast. Initially, we see this transformation fuel his desire for revenge against society, leading him to commit two acts that would haunt him with lifelong guilt: stealing two silver candlesticks from a bishop and robbing a poor child of a coin. These mistakes mark the beginning of Jean Valjean's moral and spiritual journey. From that point on, he become a good man and performs numerous noble deeds: 2:05

he works for the welfare of the poor; he protects the mistreated prostitute, Fantine; he risks his own life to rescue the young girl Cosette and raises her; and, in the end, he makes the ultimate sacrifice. Just as Jean Valjean must overcome various obstacles in his legendary journey, his spiritual journey is even more remarkable and tumultuous. He must conquer the many hidden dangers of selfishness to reach an extraordinary level of spiritual elevation. The book vividly portrays how these spiritual challenges can sometimes be even more difficult to overcome than the physical obstacles in real life. Let’s open this novel together. The main character, Jean Valjean, was born into a poor farming family. When he was young, both of his parents died, and he was raised by his sister, who was a widow with seven children. By the time Jean Valjean turned twenty-five, he had taken on the role of a father figure, helping his sister and repaying her for raising him. He felt a deep sense of responsibility, to the point of being almost excessive in his efforts. In his youth, Jean Valjean worked tirelessly at low-paying jobs without complaint. One winter, however, he was unable to find work. With no bread left at home and seven children waiting to be fed, Jean Valjean stole a loaf of bread to keep them from starving. During his escape, he was caught, losing the bread and suffering a bloody arm. Branded as a criminal, he was brought before the court and sentenced to five years of hard labor. Jean Valjean became a prisoner, losing his name and becoming just a number—24601. During his imprisonment, he was constantly plagued by thoughts of his sister and her seven children. Who was caring for them? What had become of them? These worries made it impossible for him to find peace in prison, and he became determined to escape. At the end of the fourth year, Jean Valjean had an opportunity to break out, with the help of his fellow inmates. He managed to escape and wandered for two days before being recaptured. The court extended his sentence by three years, meaning he now faced eight years in prison.

Unwilling to accept this, he tried to escape again in the sixth year, but was caught once more, leading to another five years being added to his sentence, bringing it to thirteen years. In the tenth year, Jean Valjean had yet another chance to escape, but again he failed. This time, his sentence was extended by three more years, totaling sixteen years. Yet, Jean Valjean never gave up trying, though each attempt ended in failure. Eventually, his imprisonment stretched to nineteen years. When you read this, you might sigh and think: 4:50

all this for a loaf of bread, and nineteen years of a person's life vanished. How many nineteen years does a person have in their lifetime?

In 1815, Jean Valjean was finally released, determined to change his life. After nineteen years of imprisonment and hard labor, Jean Valjean spoke little and never smiled, but he also never shed a single tear. However, an even harsher test awaited him. Release from prison did not mean freedom; he now carried a permanent label: 5:32

convict. The torment and deep sense of injustice he endured during his incarceration had filled his heart with hatred toward the world. On his first night out of prison, Jean Valjean knocked on countless doors, but each one was slammed in his face. People looked at him with contempt and rejection because he was a criminal, and they were eager to avoid him. No one was willing to offer him warmth or an opportunity. It was at this point that a bishop opened his door to the homeless and despondent Jean Valjean. Let’s talk about this bishop. His name was Bishop Myriel, a true man of God. He was a man of integrity, courage, holiness, and kindness, respected by everyone around him. When he met Jean Valjean, he was already seventy-five years old. But Jean Valjean had no idea who this bishop really was. He simply pulled out a large yellow paper, his convict's identification, and unfolded it before Bishop Myriel. At that moment, Jean Valjean was suspicious and cold toward everyone around him, trusting no one. To his surprise, despite knowing all of this, Bishop Myriel chose to take him in, treating him with kindness and providing him with food and a place to sleep. For the first time in a long while, Jean Valjean’s stern and serious face showed signs of surprise and confusion. The warmth of love was something he had long forgotten, leaving him unsure of how to react. Bishop Myriel looked at him and gently said, "You must have suffered a great deal." This simple statement was deeply moving, a true expression of compassion. Often, when we face various hardships in life, even becoming someone we dislike, we grit our teeth and push through. But when someone speaks to you in a gentle tone and says, "You must be very tired," or "You must have endured a lot," it can bring tears to your eyes. In that moment, you feel understood, unconditionally cared for. This was exactly how Jean Valjean felt. However, Jean Valjean hadn’t yet overcome the psychological scars left by his years of hard labor. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty meal, he left the next day and stole the silverware from Bishop Myriel’s church. Why did he do this? It was because of his deep-seated insecurity. Unfortunately, he was caught by the police once again. They brought Jean Valjean back to Bishop Myriel, expecting him to confirm the theft. But instead, the bishop welcomed Jean Valjean as if he were an old friend, and to protect Jean Valjean, he told the police that the silverware was a gift, and that Jean Valjean had every right to sell it. This act of kindness left Jean Valjean utterly astonished. He stared at the venerable bishop, his expression indescribable by any words. The police, seeing no reason to hold him, released Jean Valjean. Bishop Myriel then looked at him and solemnly said, “Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to the side of evil, but to the side of good. I have saved your soul from darkness, from despair, and I give it back to God.” This moment was pivotal. A man whose conscience was not entirely lost had encountered an extraordinarily kind person—so what would happen next? Jean Valjean was deeply moved by Bishop Myriel. After committing this wrong, after stealing the silverware, he suddenly realized that only love, justice, and kindness could make a person truly shine. So he decided to become a good man. After leaving Bishop Myriel, Jean Valjean felt a strange tenderness in his heart. But does a person change for the better in an instant? Great stories are never that illogical. Hugo writes that Jean Valjean’s heart still harbored a strange sense of resistance. As he walked down the road, this inner conflict resurfaced, and Jean Valjean stole a coin from a small child. But as he left with the coin, Bishop Myriel’s words echoed in his mind, and he was filled with regret. This is the power of conscience—if even a sliver of goodness remains, a person cannot fully commit to doing wrong. Jean Valjean was overwhelmed with remorse. He desperately searched for the boy to return the coin, but he couldn’t find him anywhere. This internal battle between good and evil made Jean Valjean realize that he was no longer the man filled with hatred and darkness. He could no longer do the things the bishop had urged him to avoid. Standing there, clutching the coin, Jean Valjean began to weep—deep, uncontrollable sobs that lasted a long, long time. After these events, Jean Valjean decided to turn his life around. He resolved to start anew, adopting the alias "Madeleine." Following the teachings of Bishop Myriel, Jean Valjean spent ten years working hard to become a successful businessman and eventually a mayor. You might wonder, how did he achieve this? The book goes into great detail about this period, but here’s a summary. Jean Valjean was an eager learner, constantly reading and improving his knowledge. Through this process, he worked tirelessly and even invented a new method for manufacturing black glass, which earned him a patent. This invention led to his financial success. Valjean was not only hardworking but also kind and generous to his workers, which earned him their respect. He established his own factory and made a lot of money. With his newfound wealth, Valjean felt a responsibility to give back to society. He invested in building bridges and roads in the local area, which further endeared him to the people. Eventually, he was elected as mayor. Jean Valjean never expected to reach such a position, and feeling uneasy about it, he secretly performed many good deeds, much like how some people secretly commit wrongdoings. For him, these acts were a form of personal redemption. Many praised him, saying he was a wealthy man without arrogance, a happy man without pride. Thus, Jean Valjean’s path to redemption was built step by step, as he worked to walk toward the light, striving to become a righteous and honest person, and to distance himself from his past. Clearly, he succeeded. However, as Jean Valjean’s fame and respect grew, there was one person who remained in the shadows, watching him with suspicion. Who is this person? We’ll discuss that shortly. But first, another important character enters the story—Fantine, a woman whose life is filled with tragedy. What is Fantine’s story? Fantine was extraordinarily beautiful, born from the lowest ranks of society, an orphan with a natural grace that made her origins and background seem mysterious. The book describes her as having a radiant face, elegant profile, deep blue eyes, skin like porcelain, and delicate, perfectly formed feet. Such a beautiful young woman naturally attracted many suitors in her teenage years. Among them was a man named Tholomyès, a nearly bald playboy who relentlessly pursued Fantine, using every trick in the book to win her heart. This naïve girl was no match for a seasoned philanderer like Tholomyès. She soon fell for him, deeply and passionately, giving him her whole heart. But Fantine, caught up in her first love, didn’t realize that for Tholomyès, it was all just a casual fling. After having his way with her, he lost interest and found an excuse to disappear from her life. This marked the beginning of Fantine’s tragic fate. When she became pregnant, in the old society of that time, an unmarried girl with a child was not accepted or understood by others, making it nearly impossible for her to find a job. Despite her desperate situation, Fantine chose to keep the child. She gave birth to a daughter whom she loved dearly, naming her Cosette. When Cosette turned three, life in Paris had become unbearable for Fantine. Struggling to make ends meet, she decided to leave Paris in search of work in the countryside, but before she left, she entrusted Cosette to a couple, hoping they would take good care of her. Fantine found a job at a factory, where she worked tirelessly, saving every penny she could to send to the couple as payment for Cosette’s care. In Fantine’s innocent mind, there was no doubt that Cosette would be treated well. She believed that by sending money, Cosette would be well taken care of. But little did she know that the couple she had trusted were nothing more than "abusive and greedy vampires." The money Fantine worked so hard to earn was not spent on Cosette as she had hoped. Instead, Cosette was treated like a slave in the household of the couple who were supposed to care for her. By the time she was five years old, Cosette was forced to do heavy labor. She was made to clean rooms, sweep the yard and streets, wash dishes, and even carry heavy loads. The couple grew increasingly greedy, continually finding new ways to extort more money from Fantine. Sometimes they would claim that Cosette was ill and needed extra money for medicine, or they would say that Cosette needed new clothes. Fantine, desperate to provide a better life for her daughter, did everything she could to meet these demands. If Fantine could have returned to see her daughter, she would have discovered that Cosette was not living well at all. The little girl had become pale and thin, losing the beauty and vitality she once had. But Fantine couldn’t leave the factory; she had to work relentlessly, doing overtime and taking on additional jobs. She had no idea that her beloved child was being cruelly mistreated by the couple who were supposed to take care of her. Life in the factory was no easier for Fantine. When it was discovered that she had an illegitimate daughter, someone reported her to the authorities, and as a result, she lost her job. Her income dwindled while her debts continued to mount. The couple caring for Cosette threatened to throw her out onto the street if they didn’t receive the money on time. This tormented Fantine, whose every thought and hope was focused on her child. In her desperation, Fantine sold her jewelry, cut off and sold her beautiful hair, and even sold two of her teeth when someone admired how lovely they were and offered to buy them. Eventually, Fantine was forced into prostitution, selling everything she could, including her own body, to send money to that cruel couple. She clung to a simple, naive hope—that with this money, Cosette might live a slightly better life. One day, Fantine got into a confrontation on the street and was brought before Mayor Madeleine. Who was this Mayor Madeleine? It was Jean Valjean, who had taken on this new identity and become the mayor. The police brought Fantine to the mayor, insisting that her behavior warranted six months of imprisonment. And why was she to be imprisoned? Simply because this lowly, impoverished prostitute had a conflict with someone from high society—so she must have been at fault. Upon hearing this, Fantine was devastated. She cried out in despair. At this moment, all she could think about was what would happen to her daughter if she were locked away. So she pleaded with Inspector Javert, begging him for mercy. Fantine’s situation became clear—she was punished simply for defending herself against provocation and unjust treatment. She then shared her tragic story, explaining how she had been forced to sell her beautiful teeth and hair and how she had been driven to prostitution, all to support her daughter and survive. However, Inspector Javert was unmoved. He was a rigid man, focused solely on enforcing the law. At this point, we might feel angry on Fantine’s behalf, sympathizing with her plight. But Javert wasn’t inherently evil; he was just someone who believed that the rules must be followed, forgetting that he was dealing with a fellow human being. Jean Valjean’s response, however, was completely different. Sitting in the mayor’s chair, he listened to Fantine’s entire story and felt deep sympathy for her. He decided to release Fantine and said to her, "I will pay your debts and bring your child to you, or you can go and get her yourself. From now on, if you wish, you don’t have to work anymore. I will take care of you and your child. You will live happily and be an honest woman. And listen, if everything you said is true—and I don’t doubt it—then your life, in the eyes of God, has always been good and pure." In this moment, Jean Valjean offered Fantine not only freedom but also compassion, support, and the chance for a new life. This passage is truly moving. Jean Valjean believes that even a woman who has fallen to the depths of despair, who has worked as a prostitute, can still be good and pure. He doesn’t judge her by society’s standards but sees her intrinsic worth. When Fantine heard these words, she looked at the mayor with a mixture of disbelief and hope. Her life had been so full of hardship and degradation that the sudden appearance of a chance at a better life seemed almost too good to be true. Overwhelmed with emotion, she began to weep, lowered her head, and then knelt before Jean Valjean. Before Valjean could react, Fantine had already grasped his hands and kissed them deeply before fainting from the sheer intensity of her emotions. Moved by her plight, Valjean had her carried to the infirmary in his factory, where she could be cared for. When she regained consciousness, he gently said to her, "You have suffered so much, poor mother. Your suffering has come to an end." Does this sound familiar? It should. These are the same words of love and warmth that Bishop Myriel once offered to Jean Valjean at the bottom of his life. It was these words that transformed Valjean’s destiny and spirit. Now, Jean Valjean was passing on the kindness he had received from Myriel to Fantine. Fantine stared at Valjean in a daze, and then, suddenly, she smiled—a beautiful smile, even though it was missing two teeth. At that moment, she felt as if light had returned to her life.This is the intersection of Fantine and Jean Valjean’s lives. Earlier, we mentioned that while Jean Valjean was treating the world with kindness, there was someone in the shadows, observing him, questioning him. Who was this person? It was Javert, the very man who had harshly dealt with Fantine. What was Javert’s background?  He was born in a prison, spent his childhood there, and was the son of a fortune-teller mother and a convict father. Despite this difficult upbringing, Javert was determined to become a policeman. Through sheer effort and discipline, he developed a rigid, rule-abiding, and strict personality, and eventually became a police officer. Growing up in such harsh conditions, Javert’s transformation into the man he became required immense effort. As a result, he believed that duty was paramount, dedicating his entire life to enforcing the law with an iron hand.  Javert’s sense of justice was so absolute that if his own parents committed a crime, he would have been the first to report and arrest them. In essence, he was a man with a tool-like personality—not evil, but lacking in empathy and the ability to question the system. Why did Javert suspect Jean Valjean?  During Valjean’s time as a convict, Javert had been a guard in the prison. After Valjean’s release and his eventual rise to become the highly respected Mayor Madeleine, Javert also advanced in his career to become a police officer. When Javert saw Mayor Madeleine, he found him very familiar and recalled the convict Jean Valjean. Javert couldn’t believe that a former convict could become a good man, just as he couldn’t believe that Fantine, a prostitute, could be a kind-hearted woman. To Javert, his duty was to hunt down any and all crimes against the law. Driven by his suspicions, he became convinced that Mayor Madeleine was indeed Jean Valjean and that this criminal would inevitably commit another crime, so he kept a close watch on the mayor. The book describes many instances where Javert tested Mayor Madeleine, engaging in a battle of wits. Javert was determined to unmask him, while Valjean desperately tried to conceal his past, insisting that he was not connected to Jean Valjean and that he was only the person standing before them now. Both men were constantly guessing each other’s next move. Then one day, Javert approached Jean Valjean and confessed everything. He explained that he had always suspected that Valjean was a convict, a man named Jean Valjean, because he had seen Valjean in prison. As a result, he had constantly tested Valjean, searching for evidence to prove that he was a criminal hiding under a new identity. However, the police recently arrested someone who looked very much like Jean Valjean, and they believed this person to be the real Jean Valjean. Given this arrest, Javert concluded that the man standing before him could only be Mayor Madeleine. Javert admitted that his suspicions were baseless and wrong, and he had come to confess everything, seeking the mayor’s forgiveness. When Jean Valjean heard Javert’s words, his face turned pale. He realized that someone else was about to be imprisoned in his place, someone who had been mistaken for Jean Valjean and was now facing punishment for the crimes Valjean had committed years ago. This put Valjean in a state of intense inner conflict, filled with growing fear. The dilemma he faced was whether to step forward and admit that he was the real Jean Valjean. If he revealed his true identity, he would undoubtedly be arrested, losing the ability to care for Fantine and her daughter, and everything he had built—his factory, and the livelihoods of hundreds of workers—would be destroyed. But if he remained silent, an innocent man would be wrongfully imprisoned for crimes he didn’t commit. What would you do in this situation? The conflict was so intense and strange that it filled Valjean with an indescribable terror. Yet, he felt an overwhelming urge to turn himself in, to save the innocent man, to reveal his true identity, and to take responsibility for his past mistakes. This, he believed, would be the only way to truly cleanse his soul and redeem himself. If he didn’t do this, then even if he continued to live, it would be a life without meaning; even if he repented, it would be in vain, because such a life would be empty. This is the voice of conscience, the call to do what is right. After a fierce internal struggle, Valjean made the decision to go to the courthouse and confess. In court, he declared, "The person you want to arrest is me, not him—I am Jean Valjean." This moment carries a profound sense of nobility. Shortly after, a warrant was issued for Jean Valjean’s arrest. Meanwhile, in the infirmary, Fantine was beginning to recover her health. She believed that her new life of happiness was about to begin and that Valjean had gone to fetch her daughter, Cosette. But instead, Javert arrived and cruelly informed the poor woman, "I’m telling you, there is no Monsieur Madeleine here, no mayor. There is only a thief, a bandit, a convict—Jean Valjean! And I’m here to arrest him!" Upon hearing this, Fantine collapsed onto her pillow, her head hitting the headboard and then dropping limply to her chest. In an instant, her heaven turned to hell, and the shock was too much for her to bear. Fantine died from the trauma, and on the day of her death, Javert arrested Jean Valjean.

As I read this passage, I felt a complex mix of emotions toward Javert. On one hand, I really dislike him; on the other hand, I understand that people like him exist. What kind of person is Javert? He is a staunch supporter of the Empire, a man who is extremely cold and unyielding. In his world, there are only two colors: 25:46

black and white. There is no middle ground, no gray areas. It is precisely this rigid personality that leads to Javert's tragic end. Let’s see what happens next. On this day, Jean Valjean was captured again. In the penal labor camp, his number was changed to 9430, and once again, he lost his name. The large factory he once owned was shut down, the buildings collapsed, and the workers scattered. Some were forced to leave their hometowns, while others changed their professions. Those who stayed behind became disheartened, cutting corners and slacking off, which led to a decline in product quality, a loss of trust, fewer orders, and the factory nearly came to a halt. The once-thriving scene was gone forever. The loss wasn’t just financial; even the government felt as though a pillar had been broken, as Jean Valjean had indeed brought many benefits to the local people. Many quietly missed him. But what was Jean Valjean experiencing at this moment? He was toiling away on a ship, performing hard labor with diligence and without complaint. One day, a storm arose at sea, bringing great danger. A sailor, while raising the sails, suddenly lost his balance and fell. Fortunately, he managed to grab onto a rope and was left dangling in mid-air. Everyone was terrified; below him was the deep sea. To rescue him would mean risking one's life, so no one dared to attempt it. In this moment of peril, Jean Valjean appeared, agile and fearless. He climbed up the rigging—Hugo describes him as wearing a red shirt, clearly a convict, with a green cap, marking him as a lifelong prisoner. As he reached the top of the mast, a gust of wind blew off his cap, revealing his white hair—he was no longer young. This convict grabbed the rope with one hand and used the other to tie the sailor securely to it. Then, everyone watched as he lifted the sailor up, steadied him at the top for a moment to catch his breath, and then, holding him tightly, brought him safely back down to the deck, where he handed him over to his comrades. A wave of applause erupted from the crowd, and everyone began to shout with excitement, "Pardon him! Pardon him!" They felt that this man was nothing short of a legend—he had risked his life to save the sailor, and in doing so, had saved everyone on the ship. But amidst the cries of "Pardon him! Pardon him!" Jean Valjean lost his footing and fell into the sea, causing everyone to gasp in horror. Yet, perhaps as a reward for his goodness, Hugo did not let Jean Valjean sink into the depths. He fell between two ships and survived. Taking advantage of the chaos, he escaped. This time, he was no longer a fugitive; he was officially declared dead, yet he was very much alive. But why did Jean Valjean escape? It was all because of a promise. You may remember Fantine and her poor daughter Cosette. Jean Valjean had promised Fantine that he would take care of them, and now that Fantine was gone, he was determined to fulfill that promise and visit Cosette. So, Jean Valjean returned to the city. When he arrived at the household where Cosette was being kept, his heart ached with sorrow. He hadn’t expected the little girl’s life to be so full of misery. Cosette was only eight years old, but the way she worried made her seem like an old woman. She had a black eye, a bruise from a punch delivered by the lady of the house, who cruelly pointed at Cosette and said, "This girl is so ugly, always with one eye closed." When Jean Valjean first saw her, he noticed how thin and pale she was, her appearance marred by her suffering. If she were happier, she might have been beautiful. Every day, Cosette was forced to do a tremendous amount of work in her foster home, which was also an inn. She spent her days running up and down the stairs, washing, scrubbing, cleaning, running errands, gasping for breath, and carrying heavy loads. A frail child was made to do all sorts of heavy tasks, buried deep in the cold, harsh life she led, with no one to show her any kindness. The poor child accepted it all with numb resignation, never uttering a word. She was a child in despair, and seeing her in this condition, no one could remain unmoved—except the couple who had completely lost their humanity. They showed no sympathy at all. Witnessing the abuse Cosette endured, Jean Valjean resolved to adopt her and give her the happy life she deserved. To achieve this, he went through great lengths. Although he knew the true nature of the couple, he offered them a large sum of money to secure Cosette’s release and avoid any further conflict.

With this payment, the couple allowed him to take Cosette away. Cosette had no idea what was happening, where she was going, or who this man was. Everything was a blur, but she did know one thing: 30:54

she was finally leaving that dreadful foster home behind. And so, Jean Valjean took little Cosette back to Paris. Cosette and Jean Valjean eventually settled in a small, old house in a secluded part of Paris. The house was rundown, but Jean Valjean was content. Why was he content? Because, in the first half of his life, Jean Valjean had never known love. He had always been alone, never experiencing the roles of father, lover, husband, or friend. During his years as a convict, he had become harsh, grim, ignorant, and coarse. His sister and her children were now just distant, fading memories, almost entirely erased from his mind. After his release, Jean Valjean had made every effort to find his family, but he couldn’t locate them, and it was clear that they had forgotten him as well. But now, with Cosette, he felt his blood boiling with a newfound warmth. All his passion and affection, long dormant, were awakened and poured into this child. We can see that two people were especially important in Jean Valjean’s life. The first was the bishop, who planted the seed of goodness in Jean Valjean’s heart. And at this moment? Cosette awakened the meaning of love within Jean Valjean. This little girl made him feel no longer alone. In Cosette’s eyes, Jean Valjean seemed to transform into someone neither old nor poor—he became someone she could completely rely on. Instinctively, she had always been searching for a father figure, someone who could protect her; and Jean Valjean, also driven by instinct, had been searching for a child to care for. These two tragic souls became each other’s salvation, depending on each other for survival. They thought they could continue living their peaceful and contented life, but a few months later, Javert discovered them. Jean Valjean had to flee with Cosette. They sought refuge in a convent, where Jean Valjean took on the role of a gardener, and Cosette became a student at the convent school. Jean Valjean taught Cosette to read and spent time playing with her, and this life brought him immense happiness. His only desire was to raise Cosette well and ensure that she grew up safe and sound. Thus, they spent a period of calm and happy days in the convent. How long did this peaceful time last? Nine years. Cosette grew up and changed completely; she seemed to be an entirely different person from the poor orphan she once was. The young woman before Jean Valjean was now beautiful and graceful. She had begun to resemble her mother, Fantine. As Jean Valjean looked at her, he thanked God from the depths of his soul. He felt that life was beautiful, and though he had once been a man of no value, Cosette’s sincere love for him had transformed him into someone new over those nine years. How wonderful it would be if things could have continued this way, but their peace was once again disrupted. The change came through Cosette—she fell in love with a young man named Marius. Let’s introduce him. Marius lost his mother when he was very young. His father had been a colonel under Napoleon and was made a baron. Marius’s grandfather, however, was a royalist, and due to political differences, he despised his son-in-law. After his daughter’s death, Marius’s grandfather took custody of him, and Marius never saw his father again. One day, Marius learned that his father had been a distinguished general under Napoleon, a hero with a glorious military record. This newfound knowledge ignited a deep admiration for his father in Marius, and he began collecting information about him. Marius also became a fervent admirer of Napoleon, seeing in him the embodiment of true courage and heroism. Naturally, this infuriated his grandfather, who in a fit of rage decided to "throw" Marius out of the house. Did the grandfather love Marius? Of course, he did, but he was a stubborn and strict old man. His way of showing love was through demanding obedience—very strict. Marius, however, struggled to understand this kind of affection. After clashing with his grandfather, he left home in anger, with only thirty francs, a pocket watch, and a few clothes, and made his way to Paris. Having lived a sheltered and privileged life, with no experience of hardship or struggle, he quickly found himself facing increasing difficulties. But driven by a peculiar sense of pride, he refused to accept any help from his grandfather. Determined to support himself through his own efforts, Marius showed himself to be a young man with strong resolve. To make ends meet, Marius took on any job he could find, all while diligently studying English and German. He was highly motivated and ambitious. Marius entered Cosette’s life, and his admirable qualities deeply attracted her. Before long, the two of them fell deeply in love. However, Jean Valjean remained completely unaware of their romance. He was always cautious about his sensitive identity, so to avoid drawing attention, he often disguised himself when going out. He even rented three different houses in distant locations, living in one for a while before moving to the next—a strategy of laying low. Because of this constant movement and secrecy, it was difficult for him to notice that Cosette was experiencing her first love and that her heart had already flown away. On June 5, 1832, war broke out in Paris. The sound of cannons roared, and the air was thick with smoke. The passionate Marius joined the revolutionary struggle, forming an insurgent group led by his university friends, along with some artists and workers. But for those familiar with the history of that time, it’s clear that this uprising was doomed to fail due to the overwhelming imbalance of power. Jean Valjean also became involved in the conflict, as did his longtime nemesis, Javert, who had relentlessly pursued Valjean for decades. Their fates became intertwined in a remarkable way. What happened? Javert, who was originally a police officer, had infiltrated the uprising by disguising himself as a spy, intending to blend in with the revolutionaries. However, he was discovered and captured, and the insurgents decided to execute him. At that moment, Jean Valjean saw Javert and volunteered to carry out the execution himself, taking Javert away. Javert, believing he had fallen into the hands of his enemy, was certain that this was the end for him. But to his surprise, Valjean didn’t cut his throat; instead, he cut the ropes binding Javert. That’s right—he set Javert free. In Jean Valjean’s eyes, Javert wasn’t a bad man; he was simply a man dedicated to his duty. This was an act of noble rationality. Despite all the suffering Javert had caused him, Valjean neither blamed him nor harbored any resentment toward him. During the conflict, Jean Valjean risked his life to care for the wounded. With his extensive combat experience, physical strength, and quick reflexes, he seemed to appear wherever there was danger. He lifted fallen comrades, carried them to safety, and dressed their wounds. He refused to engage in shooting soldiers or acts of self-defense. Instead, he quietly focused on helping others. The battle raged on for a long time, but ultimately, the uprising was crushed, leaving the rebels with heavy casualties. Marius was gravely wounded in the fighting and fell into a deep unconsciousness. As the government forces closed in, who saved Marius? It was none other than Jean Valjean. Valjean carried the injured Marius through the dark and filthy sewers of Paris. Keep in mind, Valjean was already in his sixties or seventies at this point. Yet, when he felt the weight of being needed, when he sensed the urgency and purpose of life, it was as if he regained the agility and decisiveness of his younger years, the same qualities that had once enabled him to escape from prison. Covered in blood, Valjean carried the young man, step by step, toward safety. Just as he thought they were about to emerge from the sewer and reach safety, he encountered someone—his lifelong adversary, Javert, the man who had relentlessly hunted him. What would happen when the two men came face to face? Javert was deeply conflicted. His life’s mission had been to capture Valjean, but at that moment, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. In an unexpected turn, Javert let Valjean go. Why did he do this? Even Javert couldn’t fully understand his own actions. Was it because he was moved by Valjean’s deeds? Was it because Valjean had once saved his life? This formerly supremely confident police officer was now utterly broken. He had violated the code he lived by and betrayed his own beliefs. In this moment, Javert felt that he had no choice but to release Valjean, but he was also consumed by fear. What terrified him?

The fact that, as a police officer, he found himself admiring a former convict—something unimaginable in his worldview. Javert’s internal conflict was so overwhelming that he felt he had lost the very foundation of his beliefs. Unable to reconcile with his actions, Javert decided to end his life by jumping into the river. This was the tragedy of Javert: 40:13

on one hand, he was a man deeply entrenched in the rules and structures of his society; on the other hand, when faced with repeated moral challenges, he discovered a lingering sense of human decency within himself, a conscience that clashed with his rigid principles, ultimately leading to his downfall. Meanwhile, Jean Valjean successfully rescued Marius, carrying him out of the chaos of the battlefield. Once he was sure that Marius was safe, Valjean quietly left without revealing his identity. When Marius awoke, he had no idea who had saved his life. However, the joy of surviving such a perilous ordeal made him realize that he could no longer take life for granted and that he needed to pursue what mattered most. He proposed to Cosette, telling his grandfather that he would marry no one but her. Surprisingly, the irritable and stern old man readily agreed and immediately invited Cosette and her guardian, Jean Valjean, to discuss the young couple’s marriage. Valjean was overjoyed. During his time as "Monsieur Madeleine," he had amassed a considerable fortune, which he now intended to give to Cosette. However, he did not reveal the true source of this wealth. Instead, he told Cosette that it was an inheritance she had received from others. To protect Cosette’s dignity, Valjean also tells Marius’s family that he was merely her guardian and that she was an orphan whose parents had passed away. Marius expressed his deep gratitude to Jean Valjean, though he was unaware that the man before him was the very person who had saved his life. Valjean, in turn, chose not to reveal this truth. Soon after, amidst the blessings of everyone around them, Marius and Cosette were married. On the wedding day, everyone was immersed in happiness and joy.  But Jean Valjean, unnoticed by the others, quietly stood up and walked into the waiting room. It was in this very room, eight months earlier, that he had brought Marius, covered in blood and mud, to his grandfather. Now, amid the lively sounds of celebration, he listened to Cosette’s joyful laughter, feeling a deep sense of contentment. Yet, he made the decision to leave. Why did he choose to step away from this life? In Valjean’s mind, his past as a convict, a former prisoner, would cast a shadow over the bright futures of these two young people. He believed that his presence in their lives would bring them shame, so he resolved to remove himself from their lives. Furthermore, he intended to confess his true identity to both Cosette and Marius, revealing the truth about who he really was. The next morning, Jean Valjean appeared pale and haggard, his eyes deeply sunken from a sleepless night. It was clear he had endured a difficult and restless night. Cosette and Marius came to visit him. Marius greeted him warmly. In Marius’s eyes, Valjean was now his father. However, Jean Valjean confessed everything, that he had once been a convict, sentenced to nineteen years of hard labor for theft. Later, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and, after another theft, he violated his parole. Marius was stunned by this revelation, wanting to reject the truth and escape from it. He looked at Valjean, unsure of how to relate to him now, feeling utterly confused and conflicted. At this point, as readers, we might wonder why Valjean felt the need to reveal all this. Why didn’t he keep it a secret and continue living happily with Cosette and Marius? Marius himself was equally puzzled. Why did Valjean choose to disclose everything? What was wrong with keeping things as they were and preserving their happiness?

Valjean explained it was for the sake of honesty. One particular line from Valjean’s speech stands out and is worth reading again: 44:31

"Everything except my conscience would bring me joy." This is the mark of a truly great person. Valjean struggled to utter the words, "In the past, to survive, I stole a loaf of bread; today, to survive, I refuse to steal a name." When I read this passage, I was moved to tears. Valjean’s desire to live an honest life, despite the immense cost, is profoundly touching. Living honestly often requires great sacrifice. While Valjean could confess his identity to Marius, he couldn’t bear the thought of Cosette knowing the truth. Valjean pleaded with Marius not to reveal this to Cosette. Marius agreed but also asked Valjean to honor his promise to stay out of their lives and not to see Cosette again. Is it heartless? Perhaps, but it's also a reflection of reality. Marius, still young, couldn’t bear the immense pressure that came with fully accepting Valjean’s past, so his actions are somewhat understandable. However, another undeniable truth is that Jean Valjean loves Cosette deeply. To be told that he could no longer see her was a tremendous burden for him. From that point on, every evening at dusk, Valjean would quietly make his way to where Cosette lived. He would hide in the storeroom and watch her from a distance, listening as people called her "Madame," and he forbade Cosette from calling him "father" anymore. As time passed, Valjean stopped visiting altogether, sensing that Marius had become increasingly unfriendly toward him. Eventually, Valjean’s absence went unnoticed, especially by Cosette, who was so absorbed in her new life as a newlywed that she didn’t think much about it. Everything around her seemed bright and joyful. Then, one day, Valjean stopped leaving his home entirely. The thought of never seeing Cosette again filled him with unbearable sorrow, and he fell ill, his life hanging by a thread. As he lay on his deathbed, his greatest wish was to see Cosette one last time. Meanwhile, Marius accidentally discovered that his true savior was Jean Valjean. Overcome with regret, he immediately took Cosette and rushed to Valjean’s side, hoping to beg for his forgiveness and bring him back to live with them. But when they arrived at Valjean’s bedside, it was clear that he was beyond saving. They stayed by Valjean’s side, with Cosette overwhelmed by emotion, gasping for breath as she collapsed into Valjean’s arms, calling out, "Father!" Valjean, already drifting in and out of lucidity, stammered, "Cosette...It’s you..." It was a profound shock and joy for him, as he had never dared hope that he would see Cosette again before he died. Marius, witnessing this scene, struggled to hold back his tears, he stepped closer, and with a trembling voice, he softly said, "My father!" Looking at Marius, Valjean asked, "You forgive me?" Then he gazed at Cosette, as if trying to carry her image with him into eternity. With a weak voice, he said, "Come closer, both of you. I love you both so much. How beautiful it is to die like this! You love me, my Cosette. I know you’ve always had feelings for this old man. You will cry a little for me, won’t you? But not too much. I don’t want you to be truly sad. You must enjoy life...." Cosette and Marius knelt beside him, their tears choking them, each of them holding one of Valjean’s hands, now stiff and immobile. In his final moments, Jean Valjean found peace. With a serene expression, he passed away. Reading this part of the story, we can't help but feel a deep sadness, a sense of relief, and yet an uncomfortable bitterness. Why didn't Cosette come to Valjean sooner? Why couldn’t Valjean receive just a little more in return for all he had given? Victor Hugo, in the closing passages, offers a reflection on this very question. He says that we often hear people harshly criticizing the younger generation for being ungrateful, but this judgment is not as unforgivable as some might think. The distance that grows between the old and the young is something inevitable for the elderly and unconscious for the youth. This distance, though initially subtle, gradually expands, much like the branches of a tree. While these branches remain connected to the trunk, they slowly drift farther away. This isn’t the fault of the young. Youth is naturally drawn to joy, celebrations, the brilliance of life, and love, while the elderly gravitate toward their final days. Even though they continue to meet, the bond they once shared begins to weaken. Life makes the feelings of the young more distant, while the grave buries the emotions of the old. When we hear these words, we realize that the young often receive more from life, yet for the elderly, giving can be a profound source of joy, even if they don’t always receive as much in return. If we have elders in our lives, those we love dearly, we should remember to spend more time with them. Simply being by their side, holding their hand, and offering our presence can bring them immense comfort and satisfaction. It’s these small acts of love and attention that can prevent us from feeling overwhelming regret when they are gone. And so, the story of Les Misérables draws to a close. Jean Valjean served nineteen years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread, and life’s harshness reduced the once-beautiful Fantine to a pitiful state. It makes us ponder—what is true happiness? Valjean’s life was filled with disappointments and countless trials, yet he never betrayed his conscience. He worked hard, remained kind, and brought happiness to many. In the end, he confessed everything, accepted his fate, and departed this world with peace in his heart. The final passage of the book describes Jean Valjean resting in peace, despite the many hardships and sufferings he endured. He had lived a life of sorrow, yet found solace in his final moments. Though fate was cruel and he lost his angel, he left the world with no regrets. On May 22, 1885, Victor Hugo passed away in Paris. He had survived his years of exile and, through Les Misérables and his numerous other works, earned the respect of the French people. Crowds filled the streets to honor him with a state funeral. The “miserable world” portrayed in his novel is, indeed, a reflection of our real world—a world with shadows, yet still full of light.