ValJean's Tattoo

[mesmerized24601]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:29pm

Hi... I havent been active on this board for YEARS....... however after my latest trip to NYC last week something has been bothering me non stop and I knew where to come for my answer! hopefully!!!

What the heck does Valjean's Tattoo say and what does it mean???? I always thought it was 24601 but this one is clearly letters of some sort?? I know there must be something I'm missing... help!!!!

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:37pm

This has always been a problem with me, as it seems most school and regional productions put a big "24601" across his chest, which is idiotic. If they went around branding the prison number onto the prisoners, then they'd clearly know that the man they had in custody was NOT Valjean, because his number didn't match.

[mesmerized24601]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:46pm

oh so your thinking that man has a "brand" just not a number, they just all have the same one? But then how would Valjean exposing his prove who he is?

[SnoopyQc]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:50pm

The Tattoo is the letters "GAL". It's from the french word "galérien" (galley slave or convict).

Updated On: 7/8/14 at 05:50 PM

[trpguyy]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:52pm

Well historically, they did not tattoo the prisoners with numbers. Putting that aside, a generic brand (or tattoo) is pretty much the only option that doesn't create a plot hole where there wasn't one.
Valjean exposing his brand, along with his admission of guilt, proves who he is.

Updated On: 7/8/14 at 05:52 PM

[mesmerized24601]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 5:55pm

Thanks! true true!!

[SnoopyQc]

Posted: 7/8/14 at 6:03pm

In the novel, Jean Valjean proves who he is by telling things about the witness (other convicts) that only the true Jean Valjean can know. But it was a little bit too long to be include in the musical. So the creators take a shortcut (Valjean shows his brand).