The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter L. The Japanese Vase explained
Julien Sorel, now a secretary in the Marquis de la Mole's household, is devastated by Mathilde's rejection.
What happens
Julien Sorel, now a secretary in the Marquis de la Mole's household, is devastated by Mathilde's rejection. After a public humiliation in the salon, Mathilde formally breaks with him in the library, declaring she no longer loves him. The next day, Julien accidentally breaks a precious Japanese vase belonging to Madame de la Mole, using the incident as a metaphor to declare his own love for Mathilde is destroyed. However, his love for her only intensifies, and he remains tormented.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Mathilde's rejection of Julien is a calculated act to assert dominance, while Julien's declaration of the death of his love is a counter-move in their ongoing power dynamics.
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
Julien's humiliation in the salon and his perception of being treated as an 'officious inferior' highlight the rigid class distinctions and the disdain of the aristocracy for a commoner.
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien struggles with his role in aristocratic society, feeling out of place and questioning his own worth, while Mathilde's pride and self-respect drive her actions.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Tortured by his love for Mathilde, humiliated in the salon, and uses the broken vase to declare his love is over, yet his passion only grows.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Breaks with Julien in the library, feels triumphant pride, but is disturbed by Julien's calm reaction to the vase incident.
- Madame de la Mole
Distressed by the breaking of her Japanese vase, which she treasures as a family heirloom.
- M. de Croisenois
Present in the salon, one of Mathilde's suitors, and a target of Julien's critical observations.
- Comte Norbert
Mathilde's brother, present in the salon, asked to stay instead of going to Suresnes.
- M. de Luz
A friend of Mathilde, mentioned as one of the young aristocrats who turn their backs on Julien.
Key passages
“Why didn’t I speak the truth? Why am I still tortured by the love which I once had for that mad woman?”
Julien regrets not being honest about his feelings and is still tormented by his love for Mathilde, whom he considers mad.
Julien's internal conflict and the persistence of his love despite his rational attempts to suppress it.
“The blue sofa was the centre of the group as it had been in the winter. Mathilde was out of temper with the garden, or at any rate she found it absolutely boring: it was bound up with the memory of Julien.”
Mathilde avoids the garden because it reminds her of Julien, and she insists on staying near her mother, recreating the winter salon scene.
Mathilde's deliberate avoidance of places associated with Julien, showing her attempt to distance herself emotionally.
““This vase,” he said to her, “has been destroyed for ever. The same is the case with the sentiment which was once master of my heart. I would ask you to accept my apologies for all the pieces of madness which it has made me commit.””
Julien uses the broken vase as a metaphor for his supposedly dead love, apologizing for the foolish things he did because of it.
Julien's dramatic declaration, which is both a confession and a defensive move, but his love is far from dead.