The Red and the Black

Julien Sorel is the protagonist of The Red and the Black. Throughout the book, the contours of his character are defined through his interactions with others. His relationships with his various father figures—Abbé Pirard, the marquis, and his actual father, the first, second, and third estates, respectively—illustrate his view of other people as steppingstones or obstacles in his own path of social advancement. He resents his father’s lowly birth, for example, while being deferential to the priest and aristocrat. His romantic relationships offer the most insight into Julien’s character, often because he can veer wildly in and out of love depending on a choice phrase or action. Julien’s relationship with Mme. de Rênal is a formative part of his life and shows Julien’s struggles to truly understand himself. Both Julien and Mme. de Rênal struggle to communicate their feelings. They are naïve with regards to love, so they misinterpret one another’s feelings on a regular basis. Julien is capable of convincing himself that a cold comment or a period of emotional distance from Mme. de Rênal means that she does not love him; she is capable of misinterpreting Julien’s own actions in a similar fashion.