# M. Madeleine — Les Misérables character guide

> M. Madeleine in Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Madeleine, IV M. Madeleine, Mirror M. Madeleine, Father Madeleine, Monsieur Madeleine

**First appearance:** 0048-ii-madeleine

## Who they are

The alias Jean Valjean uses as mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer.

## In the story

### [The History of a Progress in Black Glass Trinkets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-the-history-of-a-progress-in-black-glass-trinkets)

Father Madeleine is the mysterious stranger who revolutionized the black glass trinket industry, bringing prosperity to Montreuil-sur-Mer.

### [I: The History of a Progress in Black Glass Trinkets](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-the-history-of-a-progress-in-black-glass-trinkets)

The mysterious stranger who revolutionized the black glass trinket industry, becoming rich and benefiting the town; known as Father Madeleine.

### [II: Madeleine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ii-madeleine)

The public persona of Jean Valjean, referred to as Father Madeleine by workers and children, and Monsieur Madeleine by society; he is the pivot of the town's prosperity.

### [M. Madeleine in Mourning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-madeleine-in-mourning)

Appears in mourning for the Bishop of Digne, claiming to have been a servant in his youth; his actions raise his social standing.

### [IV: M. Madeleine in Mourning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/iv-m-madeleine-in-mourning)

The mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, who wears mourning for the Bishop and claims to have been a servant in his youth.

### [Madame Victurnien Expends Thirty Francs on Morality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/viii-madame-victurnien-expends-thirty-francs-on-morality)

The mayor who gives Fantine fifty francs and orders her dismissal.

### [Madame Victurnien's Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-madame-victurnien-s-success)

M. Madeleine is unaware of the events leading to Fantine's dismissal, having delegated authority to the superintendent.

### [Madame Victurnien’s Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-madame-victurnien-s-success)

Unaware of Fantine's dismissal, having delegated full authority to the superintendent of the women's workroom.

### [X: Result of the Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/x-result-of-the-success)

Fantine blames Father Madeleine for her dismissal and comes to hate him, though she makes no complaint.

### [X: Result of the Success](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/x-result-of-the-success)

Fantine blames Madeleine for her dismissal and hates him, though she does not complain openly.

### [VII: The Traveller on His Arrival Takes Precautions for Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-traveller-on-his-arrival-takes-precautions-for-departure)

The traveller writes a note identifying himself as M. Madeleine, Mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, and sends it to the court president.

### [Sister Simplice Put to the Proof](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vi-sister-simplice-put-to-the-proof)

M. Madeleine is absent, having supposedly gone to Montfermeil to fetch Cosette, but his failure to return causes Fantine's hope to wane.

### [VII: The Traveller on His Arrival Takes Precautions for Departure](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/vii-the-traveller-on-his-arrival-takes-precautions-for-departure)

The alias used by Jean Valjean; he writes a note identifying himself as the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer to gain entry to the courtroom.

### [A Place Where Convictions Are in Process of Formation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/ix-a-place-where-convictions-are-in-process-of-formation)

Enters the courtroom as the mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer; experiences a hallucinatory vision of his former self in the accused and grapples with the moral dilemma of his identity.

### [In What Mirror M. Madeleine Contemplates His Hair](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/chapters/i-in-what-mirror-m-madeleine-contemplates-his-hair)

His hair has turned white overnight, reflecting his inner turmoil and the burden of his past.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters/madeleine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/les_miserables_se/characters