The story begins by describing the saintly kindness of Bishop Myriel, who treats all equally and with empathy, and widely donates to the poor. Jean Valjean, an ex convict imprisoned for 5 years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family and then, because of his various escape attempts, was imprisoned for 14 additional years and has just been released on parole, knocks on his door seeking food and shelter for the night. The Bishop agrees, but Valjean steals his silverware. Instead of reporting him, he tells the police that it was a gift, and gives him his candlesticks as well. He then tells Valjean that his life has been spared for god. Valjean leaves, and by habit, steals a 40sous coin from a young boy. He then comes to his senses and goes looking for him, but he is gone and has reported the theft. Valjean hides. Six years later, Valjean has become a wealthy factory owner and mayor under the name of Monsieur Madeleine. One day, he sees a man named Fauchelevent trapped under a cart and decides to help him and lift it up. The local police inspector, Javert, becomes suspicious because he knows that only one other man, Valjean, could do it. A worker at Valjean’s factory, Fantine, has faced a tragic past years ago. She was very in love with Felix Tholomyes, who abandoned her pregnant. She leaves her daughter Cosette with the cruel and despicable innkeepers, the Thénardiers, who abuse Cosette and use her as labor, and keep asking her for more money. She is then fired from the factory because of the discovery of Cosette. Afterwards, she sells her hair, teeth, and ultimately resorts to prostitution and is slowly dying. For self defense, she strikes back when being harassed. Javert arrests her, but Valjean intervenus and brings her to the hospital, and promises to take care of Cosette. Javert then tells him that he reported him to the authorities, therefore he must be punished because they had already found the real Valjean. Valjean then finds out about where the trial is, and after debating over it with himself, confesses before the court. Javert goes to find him at the hospital, and Fantine dies because of shock. Valjean goes with Javert,
