Discussion prompts:

1. Jean Valjean was imprisoned for stealing bread to feed his sisters children. He wandered trying to find a place so that he may rest. He was not yet a man and was no more a child. Jean Valjean grew wild tettering on the edge of wickedness. When he met the Bishop he comitted an act of theft. The theif was reprimanded and in his darkest moments he found humanity living under the name of God through the Bishops kindness. He believed that the need for life ,liberty, and the pursuit of happiness was temptation. When put into a position he gave far more than he took. When his self-absoprtion led to a life suffering greatly and quietly like himself led to her death, he took on anothers life and found meaning in his own. He loved and nurtured a little girl. Now that she has grown he refuses to release himself from his manmade hell and accept his blessings.

Final line:

And he turned aside so that she might not see him wipe his eyes.

Link to the previous chapter

Link to the 2019 discussion