In chapter 7 it tell us that Jean Valjean admits that what he did was not correct but it also tell us that he does thing that his punishment was too sever for want he did. And I am agree with him.
In chapter 6 it tell us a little more about Jean Valjean past . It tell us that he lost his parent when he was young and that he has a sister and a bother.
In chapter 4 book 2 I notice that Jean Valjean was an ungrateful man he was complaining about the food they gave him. Even when he knew that no one wanted to give him a chance because of his past.