ESSAY DU JEAN VALJEAN

          Jean Valjean is a dynamic character because he changes throughout the story.  He changes because in the beginning of the story he steals silver from the bishop and then realizes that what he did was wrong.  Another reason that made him realize and change who he really is, was Petit Gervais.  A last thing that made Jean Valjean change is Cosette.

          Jean Valjean started changing when the bishop was helping him from getting arrested, and started to reflect on what he was doing wrong.  On chapter XII, The Bishop Works, it states that, " We came across him.  He was walking like a man who is running away. We stopped him to look into the matter.  He had this silver--."  This means to me that Jean Valjean stole the silver because he needed to keep his family from starving.  This helps him later reflect on everything he had done wrong and will soon find out that stealing causes even more problems.

          Another reason why I think Jean Valjean is a dynamic character is when he steals the coin from Petit Gervais.  In chapter XIII, Little Gervais, it states, " That which certain, that which he did not doubt; was that he was no longer the same man, that everything about him was changed, that it was no longer in his power to make it as though the Bishop had not spoken to him and had not touched him.  In this state of mind he had encountered little Gervais, and had robbed him his forty sous."  This means to me that after he reflected on what he did to the child, he started to feel as if he did not know himself anymore.  He wanted to change by helping others and not stealing. 

          A last reason on why I think Jean Valjean is a dynamic character is because when Fantine died, he promised her that he will bring Cosette back to her.  Now that she is dead he is going through a difficult situation and is trying to keep Cosette safe.  On chapter III, Mother Innocente, it states that, "I'am pleased with you, Father Fauvent; bring your brother to me to-morrow, after the burial, and tell him to fetch his daughter."  This means to me that Father Fauchelevent and Jean Valjean are working together to keep Cosette safe.  This makes me understand that Jean Valjean isn't the same person as he was before.  He is trying to be a father to Cosette. 

           Clearly, Jean Valjean is a dynamic character because he changes throughout the story.  He has learned from his mistakes and now all he wants is the best for Cosette. He has shown that he changed because he wants to become a better person.