Volume I: Fantine
- Jean Valjean’s Backstory: Jean Valjean, a peasant, is imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. He receives a harsh sentence of five years, which is extended to nineteen due to his attempts to escape. This experience hardens him and makes him resentful towards society.
- Release and Rejection: Upon his release, Valjean is given a yellow passport marking him as a former convict, which leads to rejection and mistrust everywhere he goes. He is denied food and lodging.
- The Bishop of Digne (Monseigneur Bienvenu): Valjean finds refuge at the home of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bishop Myriel), who treats him with kindness and generosity. However, Valjean steals the bishop’s silverware during the night.
- Redemption: When caught by the authorities, the bishop lies to protect Valjean, claiming he gave him the silverware as a gift and even adds two silver candlesticks to the « gift. » This act of grace profoundly impacts Valjean, leading to his conversion and determination to live a virtuous life.
- Petit Gervais and the Loss of Innocence: Valjean breaks his parole by changing his name and moving to Montreuil-sur-Mer. Before doing so, he impulsively steals a coin from a young boy, Petit Gervais. He immediately regrets it and desperately tries to find the boy, but fails. This incident serves as a reminder of his past life and reinforces his commitment to goodness.
- Becoming « Father Madeleine »: Under the assumed name of Monsieur Madeleine, Valjean becomes a successful businessman and philanthropist in Montreuil-sur-Mer. He invests in the town’s economy, builds factories, and becomes mayor, earning the respect and admiration of the community.
- Fantine’s Plight: Fantine, a young and beautiful woman, is abandoned by her lover and left to care for their daughter, Cosette. She travels to Montreuil-sur-Mer seeking work.
- Exploitation and Degradation: Fantine finds work in Madeleine’s factory, but her secret as an unwed mother is discovered, and she is unjustly fired by a cruel foreman. Destitute, she resorts to increasingly desperate measures to send money to the Thénardiers, a family who are supposed to be caring for Cosette. She sells her hair, then her teeth, and eventually becomes a prostitute.
- Valjean’s Intervention: Valjean, now Mayor Madeleine, encounters Fantine in a wretched state after she attacks a wealthy bourgeois. He recognizes her suffering and promises to rescue Cosette and take care of her. He places her in a hospital for treatment.
- Javert’s Suspicion: Javert, the local police inspector, is suspicious of Madeleine’s past, as he remembers Jean Valjean from his time as a prison guard. He becomes increasingly convinced that Madeleine is actually Valjean.
- The Cart Accident and Valjean’s Confession: An old man, Fauchelevent, is trapped under a cart. Madeleine, displaying incredible strength, lifts the cart to save him, further fueling Javert’s suspicions. However, Javert then hears that the « real » Valjean has been apprehended elsewhere. To save an innocent man from wrongful imprisonment, Valjean publicly confesses his true identity in court, sacrificing his position and freedom.
- Fantine’s Death: Javert arrests Valjean, and he is taken back to prison. Fantine, weakened by illness and hardship, dies shortly after learning that Valjean has been arrested and that her daughter will not be rescued.
Volume II: Cosette
- Escape and Cosette’s Rescue: Valjean escapes from prison and is determined to fulfill his promise to Fantine by rescuing Cosette from the Thénardiers.
- The Thénardiers: Cruelty and Greed: The Thénardiers are innkeepers who mistreat Cosette, using her as a servant and forcing her to work hard in harsh conditions. They are cruel, greedy, and opportunistic. They favor their own daughters, Éponine and Azelma.
- Valjean Buys Cosette’s Freedom: Valjean arrives at the Thénardiers’ inn disguised as a beggar and observes Cosette’s suffering. He is moved by her innocence and resilience. He pays the Thénardiers a large sum of money to release Cosette into his care.
- Life at the Gorbeau House: Valjean and Cosette take refuge in a dilapidated building called the Gorbeau House in Paris. They live a simple and secluded life, with Valjean acting as Cosette’s protector and father figure.
- Javert’s Pursuit: Javert, still obsessed with capturing Valjean, discovers their location at the Gorbeau House. Valjean and Cosette are forced to flee.
- The Convent of the Little Picpus: Valjean seeks refuge at a convent with the help of Fauchelevent, the man he saved from the cart accident, who now works as a gardener there. Valjean and Cosette are granted asylum and remain hidden in the convent for several years. Cosette receives an education and enjoys a peaceful life.
Volume III: Marius
- The ABC Society: This volume introduces the ABC Society (a fictionalized version of revolutionary student groups), a group of idealistic young students who advocate for social justice and political reform. Marius Pontmercy is a member.
- Marius’s Backstory: Marius is the grandson of a wealthy Royalist, M. Gillenormand, who disowns his father, Georges Pontmercy, a Napoleonic war hero, because of his Bonapartist sympathies. Marius secretly visits his dying father, who asks him to seek out the man who saved his life at Waterloo.
- Marius’s Discovery of his Father’s Heroism: Marius learns about his father’s bravery and devotion to Napoleon and develops a deep respect for his father’s memory. He abandons his grandfather’s Royalist views and embraces his father’s Bonapartist ideals.
- Marius and the Thénardiers (Under Jondrette Names): Marius, now living in the Gorbeau House, becomes fascinated by a poor family living nearby, the Jondrettes. He observes their desperate poverty. The Jondrettes are actually the Thénardiers in disguise, trying to extort money.
- Valjean’s Philanthropy and the Thénardiers’ Attempted Robbery: Valjean visits the Jondrettes, bringing them money and firewood. Marius overhears the Thénardiers plotting to rob Valjean and alerts the police.
- Javert’s Intervention and Thénardier’s Escape: Javert arrives to arrest the Thénardiers, but they manage to escape. Marius is shaken by the experience and becomes increasingly interested in social justice.
- Marius Sees Cosette and Falls in Love: Marius sees Cosette in the Luxembourg Garden and falls deeply in love with her at first sight. He is captivated by her beauty and innocence.
- Marius’s Pursuit of Cosette: Marius tries to find Cosette again, but she and Valjean have moved. He is heartbroken.
- Éponine’s Love for Marius: Éponine, the Thénardiers’ daughter, is also in love with Marius. She knows where Cosette lives and, despite her own feelings, helps Marius find her.
- Cosette and Marius’s Secret Meetings: Cosette and Marius begin a secret courtship, meeting in the garden of Cosette’s house. They declare their love for each other.
Volume IV: Saint-Denis
- The June Rebellion: This volume focuses on the June Rebellion of 1832, a brief but bloody uprising in Paris sparked by economic hardship and political discontent.
- Marius’s Commitment to the Revolution: Marius, driven by his ideals and his love for Cosette, joins the revolutionaries. He is determined to fight for social justice and freedom.
- The Barricade: The revolutionaries build a barricade in the Saint-Denis district of Paris and prepare to defend it against the government troops.
- Éponine Saves Marius’s Life: Éponine, disguised as a young man, intercepts a letter intended to lure Marius into a trap. She is mortally wounded by a soldier’s bullet while protecting Marius.
- Éponine’s Death and Confession: As she dies, Éponine confesses her love for Marius and gives him the letter, which reveals a plot to attack Cosette’s house.
- Marius Warns Cosette and Valjean: Marius writes a letter to Cosette warning her of the danger and throws it over the wall. The letter is intercepted by Valjean.
- Valjean Joins the Revolutionaries: Valjean, disguised as a volunteer, joins the revolutionaries at the barricade, secretly intending to protect Marius.
- Valjean Saves Javert’s Life: Valjean captures Javert, who is acting as a spy for the government. Instead of killing him, Valjean releases him, a act of mercy that deeply troubles Javert.
- The Fall of the Barricade: The government troops launch a massive assault on the barricade. The revolutionaries are outnumbered and outgunned, and many are killed.
- Marius is Wounded: Marius is seriously wounded during the fighting.
- Valjean Carries the Unconscious Marius Through the Sewers: Valjean carries the unconscious Marius through the labyrinthine Paris sewers to escape the troops.
Volume V: Jean Valjean
- Valjean Encounters Thénardier in the Sewers: While carrying Marius through the sewers, Valjean encounters Thénardier, who is looting corpses. Thénardier recognizes Valjean but does not reveal his identity to the authorities. Instead, he steals Marius’s coat pocket, believing it to contain valuables.
- Valjean Delivers Marius to M. Gillenormand: Valjean emerges from the sewers and is arrested by Javert. He pleads with Javert to allow him to deliver Marius to his grandfather’s house before being taken to prison. Javert agrees.
- Javert’s Suicide: After releasing Valjean, Javert is overwhelmed by the conflict between his strict adherence to the law and Valjean’s act of mercy. Unable to reconcile these conflicting principles, Javert commits suicide by jumping into the Seine River.
- Marius’s Recovery and Marriage to Cosette: Marius recovers from his wounds and is reunited with Cosette. They are deeply grateful to Valjean, but they do not know the full extent of his sacrifice. They plan to marry.
- Valjean Confesses his Past to Marius: Valjean, feeling the weight of his past, confesses to Marius that he is an ex-convict. Marius is initially shocked and distrustful, believing that Valjean is not worthy of Cosette.
- Marius and Cosette’s Marriage: Cosette and Marius marry. Valjean, feeling that he is no longer needed, begins to withdraw from their lives.
- Thénardier’s Revelation: Thénardier, seeking money, visits Marius and reveals information about Valjean’s actions during the battle at the barricade and in the sewers. He presents Marius with the stolen coat pocket as « proof » of Valjean’s wickedness.
- Marius and Cosette Realize the Truth: Marius realizes that Thénardier’s « proof » actually reveals Valjean’s heroism and selflessness. He and Cosette understand the depth of Valjean’s sacrifice and the goodness of his heart.
- Valjean’s Death and Redemption: Marius and Cosette rush to Valjean’s side as he lies dying. They thank him for his love and sacrifice. Valjean dies peacefully, knowing that he has been forgiven and that Cosette is happy. His soul finds redemption.
Key Themes:
- Redemption: The possibility of moral transformation and forgiveness, as exemplified by Jean Valjean.
- Social Justice: The fight against poverty, inequality, and oppression.
- Love and Sacrifice: The power of love to inspire selfless acts and transform lives.
- Compassion and Empathy: The importance of understanding and caring for those who are suffering.
- Justice vs. Law: The conflict between strict adherence to the law and the pursuit of true justice.
- Revolution and Idealism: The struggles and sacrifices involved in fighting for social and political change.