"All extreme situations have their flashes which sometimes make us blind, sometimes illuminate us." Going from one extreme to another and back again gives one a genuine strength. In Hugo's Les Miserables, for Jean Valjean , these extremes are self-initiated and self-inflicted. When facing more than his share of trials and tribulations, though, Jean always keeps going, whether with a mighty roar or a weak whimper. There are many things that molded Valjean, though, none quite as much as that of the "wrong" choices, those which are the greatest source of strength and wisdom. These choices cause Valjean to gain a specialized perspective on the world and influence all later choices on block at a time. From the very onset of the novel it becomes evident that Valjean is a compass without the directions imperative to find the way, but through mistakes, he finds his bearings.
             As Jean is being taken to prison for trying to feed his hungry family, the bitterness of poverty slowly begins to evolve into a raging anger of injustice. He lets this anger multiply until it can no longer be held in and then it shows outward as pure evil. The anger, having nineteen years to fester, begins to block his good judgment and gives Valjean a loathing distrust for people in general. The decision to become a lonely angry man drops Valjean down the ladder to the bottom step. Once one has reached the bottom there are only two ways to go "straight up and sideways."
             Looking up from the depths, Valjean sees a way out, a savior. The bishop takes Jean in as if he is royalty and treats him well using only the finest of things, yet Jean betrays his trust. This time though, the bishop does not convict him; he sets him " free." This act of pure love lifts Jean out of the galleys and back onto his feet, this time though Jean announces a genuine promise to change. A promise that, considering his given past, could have easily been broken; yet Jean reac...