Les Misérables Part 1 Jean Valjean

The story begins with Jean Valjean as a humble worker endeavoring to provide for his invalid mother They live in a squalid home made more wretched by his inability to provide sufficient food He goes out in search of work but is unsuccessful Finally in desperation he steals a loaf of bread regardless of consequences He hastens home with it pursued by a crowd and gives it to his mother Valjean is arrested for the theft and sentenced to five years at hard labor