Fantine Chapter Summaries

Nine years after this incident, Valjean is now a wealthy industrialist and a mayor. Fantine is a single mother working at Valjean's factory. When her manager discovers that she has had a daughter out of adultery, Fantine is fired from her job. Valjean is too concerned by the arrival of Inspector Javert, who was formerly guard at the prison where Valjean was held. He is afraid he might remember Valjean and arrest him for breaking parole. The Thenardiers, corrupt innkeepers “taking care” of Fantine’s daughter, Cosette, demand large amounts of money for looking after Cosette, even thought they have been treating her very poorly. Desperately needing of money, Fantine turns to prostitution to attain the sum. Javert begins to suspect the mayor and Valjean are the same person when he sees Valjean’s strength by lifting a heavy carriage, saving a man under it.

While Fantine is working for prostitution, she is harassed. When she tries to defend herself, Javert beats and arrests her. Fortunately, she is released by the word of Valjean. When Valjean is caring for Fantine, who is sickly, he promises that she will have Cosette soon. However, the Thenardiers continue to extort more money from Valjean and Fantine due to Cosette being ill. Later, Valjean is informed that a man was mistaken as being him and is about to be rearrested. Valjean arrives at court where the man is being tried and reveals that he is the real Valjean. Valjean goes back home to find that Fantine is dying. Before she dies, Valjean promises Fantine that he will raise Cosette himself. When Javert arrives at Valjean's home to arrest both him and Fantine, she dies instantly. In reaction to suddenly losing Fantine, Valjean breaks down the door, hits Javert unconscious and leaves the town. Valjean eventually finds and rescues Cosette at the Thénardiers. Both Valjean and Cosette escape to a religious convent in Paris where they start a new life