How is Jean Valjean a Christ-like figure in Les Miserables?

Answer 1

In Hugo's original novel, Valjean, the protagonist, is an ex-convict. Valjean was put in the galleys--hard labor--for stealing a loaf of bread. His original sentence was five years, but as he tried again and again to escape, it grew about 20 years. When he is finally released on parole, a single act of mercy changes his heart. He reforms himself, but does not report to his parole officer, and thus, spends the rest of the novel on the run from the law. He serves as the well-loved and respected mayor of a town, adopts a young girl named Cosette, and then moves to Paris and lives in secret there. His arch nemesis is Police Inspector Javert, whose strict view of justice keeps him bent on destroying the now-reformed Valjean.

In the movie production from 1998, Valjean was portrayed by Liam Neeson. In the stage musical, he has been portrayed by, among others, Colm Wilkinson, John Owen Jones, and Alfie Boe. In the 2012 movie production of the musical, he is to be portrayed by Hugh Jackman.

Answer 2

Jean Valjean is the main character of the novel "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo, first published in 1862, and which was later translated into several movies and plays. Jean starts out in the story as a prisoner who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread and who's sentence had been added to because of a few escape attempts on his part. He finally gets released on parole. He is marked as a former convict and finds help difficult to find. A gentle priest takes him in and feeds him and keeps him overnight, but he leaves during that night, taking the silver candlesticks and dishes from the priest's home. He is caught and arrested and taken back to the priest's home, but the priest claims he gave Jean the items and the police leave. Jean broods over the priest's act yet, out of habit, robs again and must go into hiding to avoid incarceration again.

Years later, he has developed a method of dyeing (that he learned in prison) that allows the people of the town he resides in to prosper greatly. They in their gratitude make him mayor, but he is also now in hiding having changed his identity and hidden the fact that he is a former convict. An inspector Javert, who had known him as a convict, is assigned to his town. Jean recognizes the inspector, but the inspector does not immediately recognize Jean. Later, Javert accuses Jean of being the man he knew in prison, but recants when another is exposed as Jean Valjean. Jean cannot live with another being prosecuted in his place, so he turns himself in. He is imprisoned again but throws himself in the ocean and ends up escaping with the authorities thinking he is dead.

He adopts a woman's daughter because he feels he was At Fault for the woman's death and the child needs a home. He takes the child to where she can be raised by the nuns and he gets a job as caretaker there where he can observe her life. There are multiple other stories that also play into it, making it a fantastic story that will touch anybody's emotions. It is without question one of the greatest morality tales of all time. I definitely recommend it.

Regarding the novel, there is the original unabridged version which is quite long and includes many sections not pertinent to the main story, save to address things going on at the same time and putting it into the context of it's time. One chapter, for example, is about a particular battle Napolean fought in. Nothing to do with the main story line, but fascinating for those interested in history. Another lengthy section is concerning the Parisian underground sewage system, also quite fascinating. There is an abridged version of the novel which leaves a great deal of these things out.

Answer 3

Jean Valjean is considered a Christ-like figure in Les Miserables because he experiences a transformation from a hardened ex-convict to a compassionate and selfless man, similar to the themes of redemption and forgiveness in Christianity. Valjean sacrifices himself for the well-being of others and shows kindness to those who are marginalized, embodying the teachings of Christ.