Jean Valjean spent 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread. He made several attempts of escape and never made it but finally released. His imprisonment hinders his chances of refuge for the night as shown at Digne where he is repeatedly refused shelter until he arrives at Monseigneur Myriel's .
house, the bishop, and he welcomes him. The bishop and his take very good care of him, but all Valjean does to repay them is steal their silverware. Valjean also steals money from a little chimney sweep,Gervais. The last time that Jean Valjean is a thief he repents and under the new name of Monsieur Madeline, starts a factory that brings wealth to the town of Montreuil. .
Fantine who now a young mother has an illegitimate child, Cosette, and is on her way back to her hometown, Montrueil, to find a job. She entrusts the Thenardiers with her daughter so she does not have to go back home with an illegitimate child. .
Fantine finds a job in Montrueil at M. Madeleine's factory and attains a limited amount of wealth. Unfortunately things get worse for Fantine all of the sudden when she is fired from her job and,at the same time, must meet increasing finances for her daughter from the Thenardiers. Fantine looks for money and does everything possible such as selling her hair, her central incisors, and then turns to prostitution. She is arrested one day but is saved by Madeleine. Fantine moves in with Madeleine and gets very sick. Fantine wants to see her daughter which Madeleine promises her that he will bring her to her before she dies. .
However, Madeleine has some problems of his own. A man gets arrested under the name of Jean Valjean and is about to be condemned for his crimes. After a night of deep meditation, Madeleine decides to confess his past. Madeleine goes to Arras where the trial is taking place and Madeleine confesses to be Jean Valjean. A few days later Jean Valjean is arrested by Javert at Fantine's bedside and this scene kills her.