In Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," Jean Valjean experiences a profound transformation during his time in the galleys. He enters as a broken man, filled with sorrow and trembling from his hardships. His emotional state reflects the despair that has engulfed him due to his circumstances and the weight of his past. This initial state of hopelessness characterizes his life before imprisonment.

However, after enduring the harsh realities of prison life, Valjean emerges as a changed individual. Although he physically escapes the galleys, he does so with a somber demeanor, indicating that while he might have physically survived, the psychological scars remain. His gloomy outlook signifies the lasting impact of his experiences and suggests that redemption and healing are complex processes that take time.