Les Misérables is a novel of many components. It has innumerable themes that can be applied to life, although it is a fictional novel. It is a novel which exposes the life of the poor, and the ignorance of others oblivious to that state of being.

Jean Valjean is the messenger of kindness throughout the novel. While some of the other characters are mean and despicable, Jean is the saint that shines above all others. Jean Valjean changes his life after he meets the Bishop. In effect, it is the Bishop who starts the trend of kindness in Jean, because he himself is kind towards Jean. He takes Jean in when no one else will. He tells the police the Jean did not steal the silver candlesticks, when really Jean did. All he asks for is that Jean be kind towards others in return. Jean does so...