There are a wide variety of characters in Les Misérables and they each have such an important part in the story. They might not all be in the whole novel like Jean Valjean, but they all have a purpose in the book. Their life stories actually make the title Les Misérables, also known as The Misérables, come together. Their miserable lives leave the reader wanting to read more, to see if they actually overcome these miserable obstacles or not.
Jean Valjean
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Jean Valjean is a major character in the novel. In the beginning, he has just left prison and is trying to find a place to live. Everyone knows he is a convict because of his yellow passport and therefore, they refuse to help him by giving him a place to stay. The bishop takes him in and eventually helps him change his ways into becoming religious and a better person.
Later, he's known as Monsieur the Mayor, and everyone in town adores him. He helps the citizens and cares for everyone. A police officer, Javert, recognizes Jean Valjean as a convict and tries to get proof that it's really him. He later admits that he is really Jean Valjean, and so Javert chases after him throughout the novel.
Fantine dies from a sickness, and so Jean Valjean runs away to find Cosette and take care of her. He eventually finds her, and they have a special father-daughter relationship together. He takes care of Cosette like a true father, and protects her from everything. He loves her like he has never loved anybody else.
But, when Cosette acts depressed, he finds out that she and Marius love each other. This causes Jean Valjean to go to the barricade to see Marius. During a harsh battle, Marius is wounded, and Jean Valjean drags him and carries him in the sewer. They manage to get out, and Jean Valjean and Javert take Marius to his grandfather's home. Eventually, M. Gillenormand and Jean Valjean approve Cosette and Marius' marriage, and they plan to have a wedding. Because of this, Jean Valjean becomes very upset, causing him to stay away from Cosette and her new husband.
After the wedding though, Jean Valjean, being the honest man he is, tells Marius of his horrible past and expects him not to tell Cosette anything. He would rather have Cosette be happy, other than himself, and he would rather be honest, like the bishop taught him to be. Eventually, depression causes Jean Valjean to become very sick and all he can think of is Cosette and how he cannot say goodbye. This is a very big struggle for him due to the fact that Cosette means everything to him.
Later on, Marius finds out that Jean Valjean is truly a wonderful man, so he and Cosette go visit him. Jean Valjean just finished writing a letter to Cosette saying goodbye, because he knows he is about to die. The three express their love for each other as a family, and Jean Valjean says goodbye to the couple. They buried him in the cemetery of Père Lachaise in a corner with no name on his gravestone.
Later, he's known as Monsieur the Mayor, and everyone in town adores him. He helps the citizens and cares for everyone. A police officer, Javert, recognizes Jean Valjean as a convict and tries to get proof that it's really him. He later admits that he is really Jean Valjean, and so Javert chases after him throughout the novel.
Fantine dies from a sickness, and so Jean Valjean runs away to find Cosette and take care of her. He eventually finds her, and they have a special father-daughter relationship together. He takes care of Cosette like a true father, and protects her from everything. He loves her like he has never loved anybody else.
But, when Cosette acts depressed, he finds out that she and Marius love each other. This causes Jean Valjean to go to the barricade to see Marius. During a harsh battle, Marius is wounded, and Jean Valjean drags him and carries him in the sewer. They manage to get out, and Jean Valjean and Javert take Marius to his grandfather's home. Eventually, M. Gillenormand and Jean Valjean approve Cosette and Marius' marriage, and they plan to have a wedding. Because of this, Jean Valjean becomes very upset, causing him to stay away from Cosette and her new husband.
After the wedding though, Jean Valjean, being the honest man he is, tells Marius of his horrible past and expects him not to tell Cosette anything. He would rather have Cosette be happy, other than himself, and he would rather be honest, like the bishop taught him to be. Eventually, depression causes Jean Valjean to become very sick and all he can think of is Cosette and how he cannot say goodbye. This is a very big struggle for him due to the fact that Cosette means everything to him.
Later on, Marius finds out that Jean Valjean is truly a wonderful man, so he and Cosette go visit him. Jean Valjean just finished writing a letter to Cosette saying goodbye, because he knows he is about to die. The three express their love for each other as a family, and Jean Valjean says goodbye to the couple. They buried him in the cemetery of Père Lachaise in a corner with no name on his gravestone.
Cosette
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Cosette is also a major character in Les Misérables. In the novel, she starts off as a young girl who lives with the Thénardiers while her mother Fantine is away making money to support her. The family treated Cosette coldly, by making her their servant, giving her torn clothes, making her eat under the table, and so much more. She struggled living with the Thénardiers but she still obeyed their commands.
Many years later, Jean Valjean rescues Cosette and they end up living together. She and Jean Valjean end up having a father-daughter relationship. Together they move to different places to hide from Javert and they live a quiet, private, happy life. They have special walks in the park everyday and they sit on the bench for one hour together. While sitting on the bench one day, Cosette and a man Marius make eye contact and end up falling in love. They flirt with only their eyes for several months, and they eventually meet again.
While Cosette was in her garden one day, she sees a stone with a letter written under it. She reads it and realizes it's from Marius and they finally speak for the first time, declaring their love for each other. Suddenly, Jean Valjean tells Cosette that they are moving to England, and she must say goodbye to Marius. They do not see each other for a while, but Marius ends up in the barricades to fight and make himself die since he is no longer with Cosette.
Later, Jean Valjean saves Marius, and after he got better, Marius asked for Cosette's hand in marriage and everyone approves. The wedding was an unforgettable event, and Cosette lives a happy life with her husband. She and her father stop talking for a while, and they later speak again when Jean Valjean is dying. They say their goodbyes and she and Marius cry when they see him die.
Many years later, Jean Valjean rescues Cosette and they end up living together. She and Jean Valjean end up having a father-daughter relationship. Together they move to different places to hide from Javert and they live a quiet, private, happy life. They have special walks in the park everyday and they sit on the bench for one hour together. While sitting on the bench one day, Cosette and a man Marius make eye contact and end up falling in love. They flirt with only their eyes for several months, and they eventually meet again.
While Cosette was in her garden one day, she sees a stone with a letter written under it. She reads it and realizes it's from Marius and they finally speak for the first time, declaring their love for each other. Suddenly, Jean Valjean tells Cosette that they are moving to England, and she must say goodbye to Marius. They do not see each other for a while, but Marius ends up in the barricades to fight and make himself die since he is no longer with Cosette.
Later, Jean Valjean saves Marius, and after he got better, Marius asked for Cosette's hand in marriage and everyone approves. The wedding was an unforgettable event, and Cosette lives a happy life with her husband. She and her father stop talking for a while, and they later speak again when Jean Valjean is dying. They say their goodbyes and she and Marius cry when they see him die.
Marius Pontmercy
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Marius is a young man who lives with his grandfather until he was about 18 years old. As a child, he never knew much about his father but believed that he abandoned him and so he wanted to do nothing with his father. One day, his grandfather M. Gillenormand orders Marius to visit his father because he is dying. Marius goes to see his father, but it was too late. He reads a letter from his father and his father tells him to honor Thénardier because he saved Pontmercy's life in Waterloo. Marius goes on trips to find out more about his father and to visit him at his grave. He realizes how much his father really loved him. Eventually, Marius finds out the truth about Pontmercy and M. Gillenormand. The grandfather disliked Pontmercy and ordered him to give Marius to him or else he would disinherit him. Even though Pontmercy was not allowed to see or speak to Marius, every few month he would go the the church, attend the mass Marius was at, and he would look at Marius and cry. Finally, the grandfather discovers the letter his father wrote to him and confronts Marius about it. Marius and M. Gillenormand get into a huge fight, which causes Marius to move out to live on his own. As a result, the two do not get along for a while.
Marius lives on his own, and he soon enough meets Cosette; it was love at first sight. With the help of Eponine, he finds Cosette's house and he writes a letter declaring his love for her. They both love each other, but their romance ended soon when Cosette must move to England. Marius became upset, and decided to go to the barricade to die. Eponine and Jean Valjean save Marius there, and he is later taken to his grandfather's home.
He becomes very ill but then gets well. Marius and his grandfather reconcile, and Marius asks for Cosette's hand in marriage, and everyone approves. At the wedding, Jean Valjean leaves the party and so Marius takes his seat next to Cosette, symbolizing that he is now protecting Cosette. Marius asks Jean Valjean to never see his wife again and he agrees. Eventually Marius finds out the truth and believes that Jean Valjean is an angel. The couple go see their dying father, and they say their goodbyes as Jean Valjean dies.
Marius lives on his own, and he soon enough meets Cosette; it was love at first sight. With the help of Eponine, he finds Cosette's house and he writes a letter declaring his love for her. They both love each other, but their romance ended soon when Cosette must move to England. Marius became upset, and decided to go to the barricade to die. Eponine and Jean Valjean save Marius there, and he is later taken to his grandfather's home.
He becomes very ill but then gets well. Marius and his grandfather reconcile, and Marius asks for Cosette's hand in marriage, and everyone approves. At the wedding, Jean Valjean leaves the party and so Marius takes his seat next to Cosette, symbolizing that he is now protecting Cosette. Marius asks Jean Valjean to never see his wife again and he agrees. Eventually Marius finds out the truth and believes that Jean Valjean is an angel. The couple go see their dying father, and they say their goodbyes as Jean Valjean dies.
Eponine
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Eponine was the one of daughters of Thénardier and Thénardiess. She had a younger sister named Azelma, and a younger brother named Gavroche. Eponine spent her childhood living at an inn her parents owned with her sister. They were both dressed nicely, and they were very spoiled. Fantine left her daughter Cosette with the family, and everyone treated Cosette poorly. The two girls never played with Cosette, and they never let Cosette touch their dolls.
Many years have passed, and the family continued to con people all over town. A man Marius gave money to the family so they could pay their rent, and Eponine fell in love with Marius. Thénardier set a trap to ambush Jean Valjean, and their planned failed which caused the whole family to go to prison. Later, she meets Marius again and helps him find Cosette despite her feelings toward him because they were madly in love. But, when Cosette moves away, Eponine hides a letter from Cosette to Marius, which causes Marius to go to the barricade.
She then feels guilty and disguises herself as a man to go to the barricade to save Marius. Right when Marius was about to be shot, she sacrificed herself by putting her hand on the musket, causing the ball to go through her hand and chest. Eponine gives the letter to Marius and asks if Marius could kiss her forehead after she dies. Marius promises her, and she declares her love for him then dies. Marius does as promised and he kisses her forehead, thanking her for all that she has done for him.
Many years have passed, and the family continued to con people all over town. A man Marius gave money to the family so they could pay their rent, and Eponine fell in love with Marius. Thénardier set a trap to ambush Jean Valjean, and their planned failed which caused the whole family to go to prison. Later, she meets Marius again and helps him find Cosette despite her feelings toward him because they were madly in love. But, when Cosette moves away, Eponine hides a letter from Cosette to Marius, which causes Marius to go to the barricade.
She then feels guilty and disguises herself as a man to go to the barricade to save Marius. Right when Marius was about to be shot, she sacrificed herself by putting her hand on the musket, causing the ball to go through her hand and chest. Eponine gives the letter to Marius and asks if Marius could kiss her forehead after she dies. Marius promises her, and she declares her love for him then dies. Marius does as promised and he kisses her forehead, thanking her for all that she has done for him.
Javert
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Javert is another major character in Les Misérables. He is a police officer who discovers the real Jean Valjean. He spent most of his time chasing after him. He was also cold to Fantine, by arresting her when she was attacked. He showed no generosity towards the people, and he focused on getting revenge towards Jean Valjean. They run into each other multiple times, but Jean Valjean managed to run away and escape from him. They finally meet again in the barricade. Jean Valjean volunteers to shoot Javert and Javert lets him get his revenge. As great as that would be to Jean Valjean, he doesn't do it and he just unties Javert. He lets him go free and run away.
The two men later meet again, where Jean Valjean is carrying a "corpse" which happened to be Marius. Javert changes into a nicer person, by helping Jean Valjean take Marius home. He also lets Jean Valjean go to his home for a moment. But, when Jean Valjean looks out the window, Javert has disappeared. He was seen walking towards the Seine, where he was questioning himself. Jean Valjean's generosity changed him, and it made him act differently. He knew he had two options: whether to go back and take Jean Valjean to the dungeon, or to die. He decided to jump into the water, and he drowned between the Pont au Change and Pont Neuf.
The two men later meet again, where Jean Valjean is carrying a "corpse" which happened to be Marius. Javert changes into a nicer person, by helping Jean Valjean take Marius home. He also lets Jean Valjean go to his home for a moment. But, when Jean Valjean looks out the window, Javert has disappeared. He was seen walking towards the Seine, where he was questioning himself. Jean Valjean's generosity changed him, and it made him act differently. He knew he had two options: whether to go back and take Jean Valjean to the dungeon, or to die. He decided to jump into the water, and he drowned between the Pont au Change and Pont Neuf.