The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter LVI. Moral Love explained
Julien, following Prince Korasoff's instructions, begins a campaign of writing love letters to Madame de Fervaques to make Mathilde jealous.
What happens
Julien, following Prince Korasoff's instructions, begins a campaign of writing love letters to Madame de Fervaques to make Mathilde jealous. He copies the first letter, delivers it with the prescribed melancholy air, and finds a strange amusement in the absurdity of the task. His behavior at the Fervaques salon, where he positions himself to see Mathilde while pretending to ignore her, causes Mathilde to become intrigued and annoyed, while Madame de Fervaques is impressed by his apparent seriousness and eloquence.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Julien's calculated courtship of Madame de Fervaques is a strategic move in his power struggle with Mathilde, using jealousy as a weapon.
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien's role-playing and copying of letters highlight his alienation from his true self, as he adopts a persona to manipulate others.
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
Julien's feigned melancholy and religious seriousness are tools for social advancement, exposing the hypocrisy inherent in aristocratic society.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Executes Korasoff's plan to write love letters to Madame de Fervaques, finding dark amusement in the role-playing. He strategically positions himself to observe Mathilde while feigning indifference.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Observes Julien's actions with growing interest and irritation. She is annoyed by his attention to Madame de Fervaques and resolves to stop listening to him, but finds it difficult.
- Madame de Fervaques
Receives Julien's letter and is impressed by his apparent seriousness and eloquence, considering him a young man of distinction. She is unaware of his ulterior motives.
- M. de Croisenois
Appears overwhelmed by Mathilde's new caprice, his palpable grief providing some solace to Julien.
- Madame de la Mole
Praises Julien to Mathilde, contributing to Mathilde's irritation.
Key passages
“I am taking a very bold course! ... To think of daring to write to so virtuous a celebrity. I shall be treated with the utmost contempt, and nothing will amuse me more.”
Julien thinks his plan to write to Madame de Fervaques is audacious and expects to be scorned, but he finds the idea amusing as a form of self-mockery.
Julien's cynical detachment from his own actions.
“The moment when Julien brought his horse back to the stable was the happiest he had experienced for a whole month.”
Julien feels a rare moment of happiness after executing the letter delivery, a brief respite from his usual misery.
The small satisfaction derived from following Korasoff's plan.
“This unexpected turn in his life made him talk like an angel, and inasmuch as a certain element of self-appreciation will insinuate itself even into those hearts which serve as a temple for the most august virtue, the maréchale said to herself as she got into her carriage, 'Madame de la Mole is right, this young priest has distinction.'”
Julien's new confidence makes him eloquent, impressing Madame de Fervaques, who thinks he has distinction and is flattered by his attention.
The maréchale's growing favorable impression of Julien.