Character Relationship Map: Les Misérables

Characters

• Jean Valjean (played by Hugh Jackman) — protagonist

  The protagonist, a former prisoner released from the Bagne of Toulon in 1815 after nineteen years for stealing bread and attempting escape. Shown mercy by the Bishop of Digne after stealing his silver...

• Javert (played by Russell Crowe) — protagonist

  Formerly a guard at the Toulon prison, he arrives as chief of police in Montreuil and later pursues Valjean in Paris. His suspicion of Valjean grows after witnessing him rescue a worker trapped under...

• Cosette (played by Amanda Seyfried) — supporting

  Fantine's illegitimate daughter, kept by the greedy Thénardier family while Fantine sends them her earnings. Taken away by Valjean, who pays her debts and raises her in Paris. She falls in love with M...

• Fantine (played by Anne Hathaway) — supporting

  A worker in Valjean's factory, fired when it is revealed she has an illegitimate daughter, Cosette. Increasingly ill and desperate, she sells her hair, teeth, and body to support her child. Arrested b...

• Marius Pontmercy (played by Eddie Redmayne) — supporting

  A member of the revolutionist group Friends of the ABC who falls in love with Cosette at first sight and asks Éponine to find her. Devastated by Éponine's death at the barricade, he is rescued by Valj...

• Monsieur Thénardier (played by Sacha Baron Cohen) — supporting

  A greedy innkeeper whose family keeps Cosette and takes Fantine's earnings. He attempts to rob Valjean's Paris house but is stopped by Éponine. Later, he crashes the wedding reception of Marius and Co...

• Foreman (played by Michael Jibson) — minor
• Bishop (played by Colm Wilkinson) — minor
• Enjolras (played by Aaron Tveit) — supporting

  A member of the revolutionist group Friends of the ABC involved in the plotting against the monarchy and the revolt at the barricades during Lamarque's funeral procession. He dies when the soldiers st...

• Éponine Thénardier (played by Samantha Barks) — supporting

  The Thénardiers' daughter, in love with Marius. Heartbroken when Marius falls for Cosette, she nevertheless helps him find her, stops her father from robbing Valjean's house, and hides Cosette's farew...

• Gavroche (played by Daniel Huttlestone) — supporting

  A Paris street urchin who exposes Javert as a policeman when he poses as an ally at the barricade during the revolt. He dies and is joined in the afterlife by Valjean's spirit, along with Éponine and...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Marius Pontmercy → Cosette (Romantic Lovers) — Their romance provides the film's central young-love storyline.

  Marius falls in love with Cosette at first sight, and they later meet, confess their love, reunite, and marry.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Marius Pontmercy → Jean Valjean (related)
• Enjolras → Monsieur Thénardier (related)
• Jean Valjean → Éponine Thénardier (related)
• Enjolras → Éponine Thénardier (related)
• Fantine → Jean Valjean (related)
• Javert → Marius Pontmercy (related)
• Éponine Thénardier → Enjolras (related)
• Cosette → Javert (Conflict Vulnerable Dependent And Pursuer) — Javert's pursuit threatens Cosette's security with Valjean.

  Valjean flees from Javert with Cosette, and later plans to leave for England because he fears Javert's pursuit.

• Jean Valjean → Gavroche (Alliance Rebel Association) — Their paths converge within the doomed barricade defense.

  Valjean joins the revolt at the barricade, while Gavroche serves the rebels by exposing Javert.

• Gavroche → Marius Pontmercy (Alliance Rebel Companion) — They share the same revolutionary cause during the uprising.

  Gavroche and Marius are both present among the rebels defending the barricade during the revolt.

• Gavroche → Javert (Conflict Exposer And Captive) — Gavroche directly defeats Javert's deception among the rebels.

  Gavroche exposes Javert as a policeman when Javert poses as an ally at the barricade.

• Marius Pontmercy → Javert (Conflict Rebel And Law Officer) — They occupy opposing sides during the revolt.

  Marius fights at the barricade while Javert infiltrates the rebels as a police spy.

• Jean Valjean → Marius Pontmercy (Narrative Rescuer) — Valjean saves the man who will become Cosette's husband.

  Valjean joins the revolt to protect Marius and carries him through the sewers after the barricade falls.

• Fantine → Javert (Conflict Arresting Officer And Accused) — Javert enforces the law against Fantine during her crisis.

  Javert arrests Fantine after she physically attacks a sexually abusive client.

Story Analysis

Jean Valjean's struggle to transform mercy into redemption unfolds through poverty, love, revolution, sacrifice, and forgiveness.

Plot Progression

1. Mercy After the Galleys — Jean Valjean leaves prison and receives unexpected mercy from the Bishop. He adopts a new identity and begins rebuilding his life through honest work.
2. The Cost of Compassion — As a factory owner and mayor, Valjean faces Javert's suspicion. Fantine is fired, pushed into desperation, and rescued by Valjean after her arrest.
3. A Child and a Promise — Valjean fulfills his promise to Fantine by taking Cosette away and raising her in Paris. Years later, he builds a charitable life while protecting their fragile security.
4. Love Before the Barricades — Marius and Cosette fall in love as political unrest spreads through Paris. Valjean prepares to flee, while the young lovers are separated by uncertainty and intercepted correspondence.
5. Mercy in the Ruins — The revolt becomes a violent barricade battle, and Valjean chooses to protect Marius and spare Javert. The survivors face the consequences of sacrifice, grief, and moral transformation.
6. Letters and Redemption — Marius reunites with Cosette and learns the truth about Valjean's sacrifice. Valjean dies peacefully after giving them his confession and receiving a final spiritual welcome.