User talk:Cooldwarf56

Les Miserables
In the book, we learn about Valjean's life in prison:
 * One detail, which we must not omit, is that he possessed a physical strength which was not approached by a single one of the denizens of the galleys. At work, at paying out a cable or winding up a capstan, Jean Valjean was worth four men. He sometimes lifted and sustained enormous weights on his back; and when the occasion demanded it, he replaced that implement which is called a jack-screw.... His comrades had nicknamed him Jean the Jack-screw. Once, when they were repairing the balcony of the town-hall at Toulon, one of those admirable caryatids of Puget, which support the balcony, became loosened, and was on the point of falling. Jean Valjean, who was present, supported the caryatid with his shoulder, and gave the workmen time to arrive.

Later, Valjean (Madeleine) hesitates to help heave the cart off because he knows his strength is extraordinary and in lifting the cart will give himself away. He offers money to anyone who will lift it. No one will do it. He doubles his offer. He turns and sees Javert, who says that he has only ever seen one man capable of lifting such a load. Valjean shudders. Javert continues:
 * "He was a convict."
 * "Ah!" said Madeleine.
 * "In the galleys at Toulon."
 * Madeleine turned pale.

Hugo describes the man suffering beneath the cart some more. Then Javert speaks again:
 * "I have never known but one man who could take the place of a screw [i.e., jack], and he was that convict."

Valjean's distinctive strength is not invented for the movie. It's drawn from the book. Bmclaughlin9 (talk) 21:58, 15 April 2013 (UTC)