In October 1815, a character named Jean Valjean was released from prison after serving nearly two decades for minor offenses, including breaking a window and stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family. His lengthy imprisonment reflects the harshness of the justice system and the societal attitudes of that era towards poverty and crime.

Upon his release, Valjean faces the challenges of reintegration into society, marked by stigma and hardship. This experience highlights the themes of redemption and the struggle for dignity that are central to Victor Hugo's "Les Misérables," showcasing the transformative power of compassion in a world often lacking in empathy.