Jean Valjean’s Redemption in Les Miserables by Victor Hugo Essay Example

Les Miserables, written by Victor Hugo, is a novel that was published during the French Revolution. Some forms of violence take place in this novel because of the period. Jean Valjean was convicted for stealing a piece of bread to feed his sister’s family. During his time in the galleys, he became a bitter man. When Valjean meets the bishop, he gives his life to God. He gives up his past and decides to start all over again. Later in the novel, Cosette comes into Valjean’s life and introduces the feeling of love into his life. Because of this, he feels that his new purpose in life is to take care of Cosette and raise her well. His life full of love and happiness changes as Cosette meets Marius who is a potential threat to take Cosette away from Valjean in the end.

Jean Valjean begins as a desperate criminal who will steal whenever he is given the chance. Though he wants to do good, he always ends up doing the wrong thing. If asked his name, he has to add the words convict. “My name is Jean Valjean. I am a convict” (Hugo 13). After being released from the galleys, Valjean has no place to stay. Being a former convict, he has a difficult time finding a place to sleep. Everyone during these times did not trust a convict.  “I beg your pardon; for pay, can you give me a plate of soup and a corner of the shed in your garden to sleep in?” (8). At last, Valjean finds a place to stay the night with the bishop. While the bishop is sleeping, Valjean sneaks into his bedroom and discovers a chest full of silver. The instinct to steal whenever possible returns to him because of being a former convict. “Good heavens! It is stolen: The man who came last night stole it!” (24). 1 Timothy 6:10 says, “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The love of money was evidently in Jean Valjean. As time passes, his love for money fades.

During the middle of Valjean’s life, he delivers a little girl named Cosette from slavery. Cosette introduces the feeling of love into his life. “Jean Valjean had never loved anything.” (98). Jean Valjean never had a significant other that we know of. He had no one to care for or love except himself. His main priority was to not get put back in the galleys. Getting put back into the galleys would crush his dream of watching Cosette grow up. Who was to protect her if something went wrong with Valjean? “To watch her playing was nearly all Jean Valjean’s life.” (99). Cosette being full of laughter softened Valjean’s heart of stone. All Valjean wanted to do was to be with Cosette. Because Cosette was in his life, nothing else mattered. She was the one thing he needed, nothing else would do. “...He should have nothing except for her.” (111). Jean Valjean realized he did not need anything in his life besides Cosette. Nothing else would make him feel the same as Cosette did. The love that Valjean displays for Cosette is a characteristic of what God is like. He sets an example for us on how and why we should love others. 1 John 4:8 says, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This kind of love is evidently in Jean Valjean.

As Cosette ages, she begins to have an interest in some men as all girls do. The attention Cosette pays to Marius alarms Valjean. Jean Valjean is scared to lose Cosette because of Marius’ love for Cosette. Marius and Cosette have been eyeing each other for quite some time, but they do not dare to speak to one another. Marius is the one to approach Cosette and confess his feelings. “You love me then?’’ said Marius. “Hush, you know it,” said Cosette. (213). Marius is stalking Cosette so that he can get closer to her. Marius and Cosette end up seeing each other daily for a couple of days. Being in the time of the French Revolution, a protest from the people emerges. This protest results in a barricade against the French government. During the battle, Marius is severely injured. Valjean decides to deliver him from the battlefield for the wellbeing of Cosette.  “...He saved my life, he has given you to me,” said Marius. (316). Because of Marius being injured, Valjean feels it necessary to save him. He knows Marius is in the barricade because of a love letter Cosette wrote to Marius. Even though Jean Valjean does not like Marius, he saves him so Cosette can be happy. “Love each other dearly. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that.” (320). As Jean Valjean is on his deathbed, he is happy that Cosette has Marius. He tells them that nothing else matters in this world as long as you love each other. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says, “Let all that you do be done in love.” During Valjean’s life, he discovers that loving one another is the best thing you can do. Doing everything with love also shows the love of the Father in us.

Jean Valjean was a slave to sin until the bishop showed God to him. As a result of God, Valjean began to live a holy life. No one is too far gone for God to change. Throughout his life, Valjean became a caring, loving man and a loving guardian who gave to the poor whenever he could. In a society where everyone was poor and did not like the French government Valjean set an example. As Christians, we need to set an example for others even when it is difficult just as Jean Valjean did. For these reasons, I acknowledge Valjean as an extraordinary man.