Introduction
The novel "The Bishop's Candlesticks" by Victor Hugo portrays the story of a convict named Valjean, who becomes a victim of circumstances. In this essay, we will discuss whether we agree or disagree with this statement and provide reasons for the same.

Agree
Valjean was a victim of circumstances, and the following points justify this statement.

1. Poverty and Social Injustice
Valjean was born into poverty, and he had to steal bread to survive. He was harshly punished for this minor offense, and his punishment led him to become a hardened criminal. The social injustice prevalent in the society at that time did not give him any other option, and he was forced to become a criminal.

2. Unjust Imprisonment
Valjean was imprisoned for 19 years for stealing bread, which was a minor crime. During his imprisonment, he was subjected to harsh treatment, which further fueled his anger and resentment towards society. His punishment was unjust, and he was punished for crimes he did not commit.

3. Lack of Opportunities
After Valjean's release from prison, he was shunned by society and could not find any employment. His criminal record made it impossible for him to lead a normal life, and he was forced to resort to theft again. The lack of opportunities and social ostracism made it impossible for him to lead a normal life.

Disagree
On the other hand, some people may argue that Valjean was not a victim of circumstances, and the following points justify this statement.

1. Personal Choices
Valjean made some personal choices that led him down the path of crime. He could have chosen to lead a better life, but he chose to steal and commit crimes. His choices were not influenced by circumstances, but by his own personal greed and selfishness.

2. Lack of Moral Compass
Valjean lacked a moral compass and chose to commit crimes instead of leading an honest life. He could have chosen to lead a life of honesty and integrity, but he chose to commit crimes. His lack of moral compass was not due to circumstances but due to his own personal weaknesses.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while some may argue that Valjean was not a victim of circumstances, the prevailing social injustice, unjust imprisonment, and lack of opportunities made it impossible for him to lead a normal life. His personal choices and lack of moral compass may have played a role, but it cannot be denied that he was a victim of circumstances.

Yes , the convict was a victim of poverty and circumstances. the convict was a poor man who turned into a criminal due to the ill-treatment  meted out to him by the society for a pretty theft. his image is maligned so much that he could not get job anywhere and thus had to steal for food. he had lost his trust in humanity , so he did not trust the bishop initially and stole his silver candlesticks. he underwent a change of heart when the bishop saved him from the police and regained his trust in  humanity.