The Red and The Black ~ Stendhal (Marie-Henri Beyle)

Readers' Guide Questions for Consideration

Chapter I ~ A Small Town 1. With a few strokes of his brush, how does Stendhal paint life in the provinces? How can such a "pretty" little town be described as a "cage?"

2. Do you agree with Stendhal's comparison of the tyranny of public opinion in France's small towns with that in the United States in the mid 19th century? Why was the town's "self-important" mayor, M. de Rênal ashamed of his trade in 1815?

Chapter 2 ~ A Mayor1. What seems to be the importance of walls in the town of Verrières?

2. Who is the narrator of these early chapters, an outsider or one of the townspeople? Does he look down more upon the bourgeoisie or the aristocracy? Which characters represent each class?

Chapter 3 ~ The Welfare of the Poor 1. Why would the mayor want to throw the virtuous priest, M. Chélan out of Verrières? Is he a threat? What is the Church's political position during this Restoration period, liberal or conservative?

2. Mme. de Rênal, a woman in her thirties, but still quite handsome. Still? How is she different from other wives in the town?

3. Why does the mayor believe it is a wise move to take on the peasant's son as a tutor for his own three sons?

Chapter 4 ~ Father and Son 1. The mayor in competition over appearances with Valenod, the rich poorhouse director? An oxymoron? How can this be?

2. Are your sympathies with the rebellious young protagonist or his hard-working old father who regards his son with anger and disdain?

Chapter 5 ~ Haggling 1. Does the old peasant get it right? Is his son in fact, a hypocrite? Why did Julien stop in the church on the way to the Rênals' house? What puzzling, but ominous warning did he receive there?

2. What caused the young man to turn from his dreams of enlisting in the army and enter the priesthood?

3. How did old Sorel get the better of the mayor when negotiating the terms of Julien's position? Does Stendhal admire the peasant's shrewdness in his portrayal of old Sorel?

Chapter 6 ~ Boredom 1. Are those real tears streaming down Julien's face when he enters the Rênal home? How does his appearance differ from what Madame had been expecting? Is it believable that someone as proud and ambitious as Julien could rise from his family and environment?

2. Why the cruel expression on his face when Mme. de Rênal asks Julien if he really knows Latin? Is his Latin proficiency believable?

3. Why would Stendhal name this chapter, "Boredom" when the pair seem anything but bored with one another?

Chapter 7 ~ Elective Affinities 1. What does the title of this chapter, "Les Affinités Electives" mean? Can anyone better translate Stendhal's French, or explain what it means in this context?

2. Does it seem that Julien dislikes all of his acquaintances? Where did the boy get his ideas of acceptable behavior?

3. Does it make sense that every semblance of gallantry been banished from the provinces since Napoleon fell? Is it Julien's gallantry that Madame finds attractive?

Chapter 8 ~ Small Happenings 1. Is Abbé Chélan actually counselling Julien to forget his priestly vocation and marry Elisa for her legacy? Has the priest guessed his burning ambition?

2. What accounts for Julien's perfect happiness at the Rênals' summer estate in Vergy? How do certain things Napoleon wrote on the topic of women disturb his contentment?

Chapter 9 ~ An Evening in the Country 1. Has love been mentioned? How would you describe Julien's feelings for Madame de Rênal, for women in general?

2. If Napoleon's portrait had been found in his mattress, how would Julien's reputation be ruined? Why does Madame help him hide it?

Chapter 10 ~ Lofty Heart and Little Fortune 1. Did Julian get the apology he demanded from Madame Rênal for disrespecting him in front of others? Has he ever exhibited such pride before?

2. In what ways does Stendhal compare Julien to an eagle?

Chapter 11 ~ An Evening 1. How does Mme. de Rênal justify her feelings for Julien as a married woman? Does she even consider adultery at this point?

2. Is Madame's jealousy, her belief that Julien loves another, the energizing factor in her feelings for the boy?

Chapter 12 ~ Travel 1. Does Julien exhibit character in his decision to turn down his friend, Fouqué's job offer? What would he have done with the money?

2. What pained Julien about his decision and led him to conclude that he is not made of the stuff that goes into great men?

Chapter 13 ~ Net Stockings 1. How has Julien changed after his trip to the mountains? Why does he now consider Fouqué's offer "vulgar?"

2. What would prompt Mme. de Rênal to purchase the net stockings, so out of character for one of such excessive simplicity? What effect did they have on Julien?

3. What are Julien's true feelings towards Mme. de Rênal? Why does he decide he is duty-bound to take Mme. de Rênal as his lover, though he prefers her cousin, Mme. Derville?

Chapter 14 ~ English Scissors 1. Why is Julien now convinced he would make a poor soldier for Napoleon? Where does this self-loathing come from?

2. How does Julien respond to Madame's command to be more careful? Does he really believe that true love demands equality, even when he doesn't love her?

3. How does the removal of Abbé Chélan impact Julien regarding his decision to enter the priesthood?

Chapter 15 ~ Cockcrow 1. What is the significance of this chapter's title, "Cockcrow"? How do you interpret Julien's feelings regarding his foray into Madame's room?

2. Is it uncommon for one to be discontent when he has obtained his heart's desire and ask, "Is that all there is?"

Chapter 16 ~ An Evening 1. How does Mme. de Rênal justify her feelings for Julien as a married woman?

2. Is Madame's jealousy, her belief that Julien loves another, the energizing factor in her feelings for the boy? Would she be in this place had she not felt threatened by Julien's other lover?

Chapter 17 ~ The First Deputy 1. "Who can take Napoleon's place?" Why is Madame displeased when she overhears Julien's words?

2. What does Julien learn of the affairs of Verrières from Madame? Is it a bad idea that M. de Moirod, the most devout man in the countryside, becomes the Mayor's Second Deputy?

3. Does Madame seem prepared to give up her lover's great mind to the Church, to the Monarch, to France?

Chapter 18 ~ A King at Verrières 1. Is the purpose of the king's visit to Verrières ever stated? Why does the Mayor seem to fear the king's escort, the Marquis de la Mole?

2. Why is it important to the Mayor that M. de Moirod head the honor guard? Why was there an outcry when the townspeople notice Julien's grand appearance in the guard?

3. How did Julien come to participate in the religious ceremony as a subdeacon? Would the young bishop of Agde been able to make an appearance without Julien locating his miter?

4. Why did the religious ceremony in the chapelle ardente make such an impression on Julien?

Chapter 19 ~ To Think is to Suffer 1. How did the town gossip mill conclude that Madame Rênal was responsible for Julien's fine appearance in the honor guard? Is it surprising that he let her supply his grand uniform?

2. How has this moral crisis following Stanislaus' illness changed the relationship? What is Julien's reaction to Madame's hysteria?

3. Has Elisa guessed correctly, as she tells M. Valenod that Madame de Rênal has seduced Julien? Is this what Madame herself now believes?

Chapter 20 ~ Anonymous Letters 1. Does Madame really want her husband to discover everything to relieve her suffering and to satisfy her conscience? If so, then why would she draw up the detailed plan to convince her husband otherwise?

2. How can she be certain that her husband will bring Julien back into the household after a few weeks?

Chapter 21 ~ Dialog with the Master of the House 1. How does Madame respond to her husband's rantings against herself and all wives in general? Is she changing before our eyes as carries out her deception "like a diplomat?"

2. Does this chapter reveal Stendhal's feelings about women?

Chapter 22 ~ Ways of Acting in 1830 1. Why was Julien so affected by the order to silence the singing prisoners during the big dinner party at the Valenods' home?

2. Is there any chance that Julien will be tempted to work for the these nouveau riche liberals, who can send him to Paris to study?

3. "One honest man, Gros the Jacobin" Can you explain "Jacobin"?

Chapter 23 ~ Sorrows of an Official 1, Why are both the Mayor and the liberals upset at the sale of the old house across from the church? What part did Madame de Rênal play in the "crooked" auction?

2. What happens when a man of power confronts a man of feeling? Does Abbé Chélan's advice to get out of town come just at the right time?

Chapter 24 ~ A Capital City 1. What are Julien's first impressions of Besançon? Why does Stendhal draw our attention to the little plaster bust of the king in the rough billiard café in this military city?

2. Why would Julien tell the barmaid he has just met that he loves her? Is this just his way of saying that he feels an attraction to her?

Chapter 25 ~ The Seminary 1. Is there still a question on Stendhal's use of "black" in connection with the clergy? How many times does he use the color in this chapter?
2. What is it that astonishes the seminary director, Abbé Pirard during his first interrogation of Julien?

Chapter 26 ~ The World, or What a Rich Man Lacks 1. Why would Julien choose his "greatest enemy," Abbé Pirard, a Jansenist, as his confessor?

2. What are the other seminarians like? Why do they have an advantage over Julien? Chapter 27 ~ First Experience of Life 1. Is there truth in Abbé Castanède's teaching that government has no legal power except what the Pope gives it? How does this knowledge affect the seminarians? Julien?

2. How did Abbé Chélan's early teachings earn Julien the name "Martin Luther" in the seminary?

Chapter 28 ~ A Procession 1. Why did Abbé Chas-Bernard select Julien to decorate the church for the Corpus Christi procession?

2. Was it too much of a coincidence that Mesdames de Rênal and Derville were in the church at the time Julien was there to hang the red damask drapes? (Why would Madame be kneeling in the confessional when no priest was present?)

Chapter 29 ~ A First Promotion 1. Was Julien really so overcome with gratitude at being promoted to "tutor" that he kissed Abbé Pirard's hand? What effect did this have on the priest? Is this the reason he sent Julien to deliver his resignation to the Bishop?

2. What are the two paths Abbé Pirard describes at his farewell sermon to the young seminarians? Which do you predict Julien will follow?

Chapter 30 ~ Ambition 1. Do you find Julien's upward mobility entirely believable? Is he really this remarkable? What is Fouqué's ominous warning to his friend?

2. How does Julien overcome Madame's angry reception when he breaks into her room? Why would Julien be unable to bear the disgrace if she had rejected him?