# Chapter LIX. Ennui explained — The Red and the Black

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

## What happens

Madame de Fervaques, initially indifferent to Julien's letters, becomes intrigued by him, though her vanity and social pretensions conflict with her growing interest. She begins to correspond with him regularly, while Julien mechanically copies the Russian letters. Mathilde, seeing a letter from the maréchale, confronts Julien in a jealous rage, but his coldness and the discovery of unopened letters lead her to a humiliating breakdown, kneeling before him and begging for his love.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Aristocratic Prejudice

Madame de Fervaques's internal conflict over Julien's lowly position as a secretary and her desire to elevate him to a clerical role underscores the rigid class barriers.

### Love as Power Struggle

Julien's calculated coldness and Mathilde's humiliating submission illustrate love as a battle for dominance and self-respect.

### Self-Identity and Authenticity

Julien's role-playing and the artificiality of his correspondence with Madame de Fervaques contrast with Mathilde's raw emotional outburst, questioning authenticity in social performance.

## Character check-ins

### Julien Sorel

Executes Korasoff's tactics with Madame de Fervaques, copying Russian letters; remains cold and calculating during Mathilde's emotional confrontation.

### Madame de Fervaques

Her ennui and vanity are challenged by her growing interest in Julien; she begins a regular correspondence with him, despite social misgivings.

### Mathilde de la Mole

Consumed by jealousy and pride, she confronts Julien, then collapses in despair, kneeling before him and confessing her need for his love.

### Tanbeau

Acts as a spy on Julien's movements, spreading calumnies about him among the young nobles.

## Key lines

> Sacrificing one’s self to one’s passions, let it pass; but sacrificing one’s self to passions which one has not got! Oh! melancholy nineteenth century!

It's one thing to sacrifice for real passions, but to sacrifice for passions you don't even feel—that's the tragic irony of this dull, weary age.

_Opening epigraph sets the tone of ennui and emotional emptiness._

> “Here I am appointed lover and valet in one,” thought Julien, and he bowed, amused himself by wrinkling his face up like Arsène, the old valet of the marquis.

Julien sarcastically notes that he's being treated as both a romantic interest and a servant, mimicking the old valet's expression.

_Highlights Julien's resentment and the demeaning nature of his role._

> “So our proud lady is lying at my feet,” said Julien to himself.

Julien inwardly gloats that the haughty Mathilde has now humbled herself before him.

_Shows Julien's satisfaction in the power reversal._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lix-ennui
- 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