Les Misérables by Victor Hugo demonstrates the predominance of social classes in revolutionary France. The protagonist Jean Valjean experiences many social injustices throughout his life, but in the process learns many valuable lessons that help Valjean become a better person and learn that being honest is very important. He learns that he cannot run from the past but rather must learn from it so that he can lead a better life. The book begins with Valjean in a prison cell, then he escapes. This is where he learns the importance of honesty. Later in the book, Valjean becomes a father to Cosette and learns the importance of love and family. He realizes how much Cosette means to him and that he would do anything to protect her and give her a respectable life. Finally when Cosette marries Marius, Valjean has a complete family who loves him. As the book progresses, Valjean realizes that stealing is not the way to get anything and that he will never gain anyone's respect or love by doing so. Once he starts being honest, good things start happening. He finds a Cosette who is like a daughter to him and then realizes that he should never commit another criminal act again for the sake of his daughter. “Valjean comes to value his own existence more because the girl depends on him and loves him” (Reeves 5). He was able to live a happy and peaceful life once he was able to embrace his past, move forward, and learn that what he did was wrong. In Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, Jean Valjean experiences social injustices and learns the importance of love, honesty, and family which is illustrated through disguises, pseudonyms, and symbols. Additionally, Valjean is able to learn more about the importance of love, honesty, and family with ...... middle of paper ...... from the past by having a pseudonym . He understands that he must embrace his past and learn from it. At the end of the book, Valjean no longer has a pseudonym and is called Jean Valjean, which suits him perfectly because everyone still respects and loves him because of all the noble and honorable things he has done since his release from prison. “In his struggle against destiny, Jean Valjean becomes a Christ-like figure who has atoned for the sins of humanity” (Taylor). Others, like Thénardiers, had to change their name out of shame at what they had become. They never learn their lesson and continue to try to hide their past instead of making up for the horrible things they have done. Through all the difficulties and disguises, Valjean was able to learn what was important to him, namely having a loving and compassionate family, which he was able to learn by living an honest life..