Characters

Jean Valjean (M. Madeleine/M. Fauchelevent/ M. Leblanc):

Jean Valjean, the novel’s protagonist, is an ex-convict from a poor family. His transformation into a saint-like figure is a central aspect of this lengthy novel. He spends 19 years in the galleys, an experience that robs him of his innocence and makes him a cynical, hardened criminal. Though he later redeems himself with his charity and altruism, he continues to be pursued by the police.

Fantine:

Fantine is an orphan who is abandoned by Tholomyes, her lover. Unable to care of their daughter, Cosette, Fantine is forced to leave her in the care of cruel innkeepers from time to time. She is fired from her factory for having given birth to an illegitimate child and is later ostracized by society as well. She is forced to take up prostitution to support herself and Cosette. She is the victim of a cruel, uncompassionate society.

Cosette:

Fantine and Tholomyes’ daughter, Cosette is left in the care of the Thenardiers, where she faces severe abuse and neglect. She is later rescued by Jean Valejan, who raises her as her own daughter. Despite her tragic upbringing, Cosette grows up to be a good, morally sound person. She eventually marries Marius Pontmercy.

M. Bienvenu, the Bishop:

Depicted as an embodiment of goodwill in the novel, the Bishop is a pious and kind man who helps the poor. His kindness and guidance transform Jean Valjean into a good man.

Mlle. Baptistine:

She is the Bishop’s sister. She takes care of the Bishop when he goes blind. Mlle. Baptistine is also a good, pious character.

Mme. Magliore:

She is the housekeeper at the Bishop’s residence.

Little Gervais:

He is the young boy from whom Jean Valjean steals a silver coin. Notably, this is Jean’s last criminal act before his transformation into a saintly man.

Felix Tholomyes:

He is the pompous, affluent university student Fantine falls in love with. He later abandons Fantine and their daughter, Cosette. Tholomyes’ respectable social milieu is in stark contrast to Fantine’s orphanhood.

M. Thenardier and Mme. Thenardier:

They are the couple Fantine leaves her daughter Cosette with when she (Fantine) goes looking for work. Though they are aware of Fantine’s dire situation, the couple take advantage of her financially. They also subject Cosette to abuse and neglect.

Eponine and Azelma:

The Thenardiers’ daughters, they are raised and treated well, unlike Cosette. Later in the novel, however, the daughters are also ravaged by poverty. Eponine’s love for Marius is unrequited, and he eventually marries Cosette.

Gavroche:

The Thenardiers eldest son, Gavroche is a man of mental fortitude despite being neglected by his parents as a child. He dies a martyr in the June Rebellion of 1832 in Paris.

Javert

He is a policeman who is strict and uncompromising in his enforcement of the law. Javert continues to regard Jean Valjean as a criminal despite his reformation and pursues him relentlessly.

Fauchelevent:

He is a gardener at Petit-Picpus, the convent to which Valjean and Cosette retreat. Valjean, during his stint as Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, had saved Fauchelevent’s life, and a grateful and indebted Fauchelevent later helps Valjean escape Javert.

Champmathieu:

He is mistaken for Jean Valjean and pursued by the police. Valjean, though he identifies as Madeleine at this point in the novel, appears in court and reveals his real identity. Champmathieu is then duly released.

The Prioress:

She is the head nun at Petit-Picpus.

Marius Pontmercy:

Born into a wealthy family, he is forced into poverty after a disagreement with his grandfather. He falls in love with and marries Cosette.

Colonel Georges Pontmercy:

He is Marius’ estranged father. Though he disagrees with Gillenormand, his father-in-law, over political matters, he leaves Marius under Gillenormand’s custody. He also serves in Napoleon’s army.

M. Gillenormand:

He is Georges’ father-in-law and Marius’ maternal grandfather. He assumes custody of Marius after falling out with Georges Pontmercy on political matters.

Mlle. Gillenormand:

A spinster, she is the daughter of M. Gillenormand.

M. Mabeuf:

A kind, well-meaning churchwarden, he tells Marius that his father (Georges Pontmercy) had indeed loved him. Like Gavroche, he too dies in the June Rebellion of 1832 in Paris.

Mother Plutarch:

She is the housekeeper at M. Mabeuf’s residence.

Theodule Gillenormand:

He is M. Gillenormand’s nephew. He is quite vain and also agrees to spy on Marius when Gillenormand asks him to.

Courfeyrac

He is Marius’ best friend and a member of the Friends of the ABC, a fictional coalition of revolutionary French republican students.

Enjolras:

He is a young revolutionary who leads a group of mutineers during the 1832 rebellion. He is another character who dies in the rebellion.

Grantaire:

Enjolras’ friend, Grantaire also dies during the insurrection.

Combeferre:

A member of the Friends of the ABC.

Jean Prouvaire:

He is an insurgent who is cruelly executed by the military.

Bahoral:

He is a student revolutionary and a member of the Friends of the ABC.

Bossuet:

Also known as The Eagle, Bossuet is another member of the Friends of the ABC.

Babet, Claquesous, Gueulemer, and Montparnasse:

They are a group of criminals from Paris. They form a group called the Patron-Minette and conspire with Thenardier to torture and rob Jean Valjean.

Le Cabuc:

He is executed by Enjolras after he (Le Cabuc) drunkenly and carelessly shoots at a doorman during the rebellion.