Ms. Molyneaux
English H per. D
April 27, 2015
The Significant Change in Jean Valjean
In Les Miserables, Jean Valjean starts off as a well-known criminal just released from prison, and nobody will accept him. However, after his interaction with the bishop of D--, Jean is in fact “another man” (72). The bishop shows him mercy and forgiveness and challenges Jean to turn his life around. Jean moves to M-- sur M---, becomes rich, becomes the mayor, and is very kind to everyone. He goes by the name Mayor Madeleine, and no one knows that he is a former convict. With his new lifestyle and actions, it is obvious that Jean is already changing into another person, and honoring the bishop by doing so.
When Javert comes to Madeleine with shocking news, however, is when he (Jean) truly shows he has changed his ways. Javert tells him that he thought the mayor was actually Jean Valjean, but when he went to the prison, they had another man accused of stealing and was thought to be Jean Valjean. The mayor (Jean) felt very guilty and thought it was his responsibility to save that man and turn himself in during the court session. While in court, Jean admits to being himself, and everyone is astonished, stunned in “sepulchral silence” (90). Jean is doing the right thing to do, by giving himself up and saving the accused man, showing that he has transformed into a better, improved man than he was before.
Also, it is evident that Jean is a changed man when he goes to visit Fantine, the mother of Cosette. Fantine is very sick, and is expecting her child from Jean. However, when Javert comes to arrest Jean in the presence of Fantine, she suddenly dies and Jean is almost heartbroken. He shows his care for her when he “took Fantine’s head in his hands” and “raised it gently, and kissed it” (105). Jean’s respectful actions show that his “transfiguration” was truly meaningful and changed him from the former convict, into an honest and moral man (72).
Jean Valjean completely changes from a man desperate enough tot steal from a church to a well refined mayor of a town who has respect to his name. Morgan is right when she discusses how he has become a better man and this is shown when he admits to who he really is by saving the other convicted man. He shows bravery and integrity through this act, two things he would generally not be associated with when he was struggling at the beginning of the novel. Also morgan mentioned about Fantine how he was respectful after she died. He also promises to take care of Cosette, her daughter, as his own child. This is another transformation, demonstrating that not only is he more financially stable to take care of more than just himself, but also he is not selfish and is willing to take of Cosette.
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