# Chapter II. A Mayor explained — The Red and the Black

> Chapter companion for The Red and the Black by Stendhal.

## What happens

This chapter introduces M. de Rênal, the mayor of Verrières, and his preoccupation with public reputation and utility. It describes his pride in the public promenade, his authoritarian management of trees, and his irritation with a Parisian visitor, M. Appert, who inspected local institutions. Madame de Rênal appears as a dutiful wife, concerned with their children, while the town's obsession with 'bringing in profit' is highlighted.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Aristocratic Prejudice

M. de Rênal's haughty attitude toward the surgeon and his disdain for the Parisian gentleman illustrate class prejudices.

### Provincial vs. Parisian Society

The contrast between Verrières' provincial values and the perceived threat of Parisian influence is central.

### Hypocrisy and Social Mobility

The town's obsession with 'bringing in profit' and the mayor's concern for reputation over substance highlight hypocrisy.

## Character check-ins

### M. de Rênal

The mayor of Verrières, proud of his administrative achievements and sensitive to criticism, especially from Parisian visitors.

### Madame de Rênal

The mayor's wife, appears as a caring mother and timidly questions her husband's fears about M. Appert.

### M. Valenod

Director of the workhouse, mentioned as sharing the mayor's opinion of the promenade.

### M. Appert

A Parisian gentleman who visited the prison, workhouse, and hospital, causing M. de Rênal's displeasure.

### M. Maslon

A young ecclesiastic who appropriates tree clippings, adding to the mayor's authoritarian practices.

### Curé Chélan

Mentioned as the target of M. Maslon's surveillance, indicating local clerical tensions.

### Stanislas-Xavier

One of the three little boys, likely the eldest, who is warned by his mother near the parapet.

## Key lines

> Bringing in profit is the consideration which decides everything in this little town which you thought so pretty.

The primary motivation for the townspeople is financial gain, overriding any appreciation for beauty.

_This captures the utilitarian ethos of Verrières._

> I like the shade, I have my trees clipped in order to give shade, and I cannot conceive that a tree can have any other purpose, provided of course it is not bringing in any profit, like the useful walnut tree.

M. de Rênal justifies the pruning of trees solely for shade, dismissing any other value unless it yields profit.

_Shows the mayor's authoritarian and profit-driven mindset._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-ii-a-mayor
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters