The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter LXVIII. A Powerful Man explained
Mathilde de la Mole, disguised as Madame Michelet, visits Julien in his prison turret.
What happens
Mathilde de la Mole, disguised as Madame Michelet, visits Julien in his prison turret. She professes her love and admiration for his act, which she sees as noble vengeance. Julien, though touched, is pragmatic, discussing his plans for her future with M. de Croisenois after his death. Mathilde then works to save him, seeking out the powerful Abbé de Frilair in Besançon. She reveals her true identity and offers money and family gratitude in exchange for his help in securing Julien's escape. The Abbé, seeing a potential path to a bishopric through connections to Madame de Fervaques, becomes intrigued by the political possibilities this situation presents.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Mathilde's love for Julien is expressed through her desire to control his fate, while Julien attempts to direct her future with cold pragmatism, turning their relationship into a negotiation of wills.
Ambition and Its Cost
Julien's ambition has led him to prison and death, while Mathilde's ambition to save him leads her into dangerous intrigues. The Abbé de Frilair's ambition is also revealed as he calculates the potential benefits of helping her.
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
Mathilde's identity as a de la Mole is a key factor in her interactions, and Julien's concern for the Marquis's reputation highlights the importance of social standing, even in the face of death.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Imprisoned, he receives Mathilde and discusses his plans for her future with cold reason, while also being moved by her devotion.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Disguised as Madame Michelet, she visits Julien, declares her love, and begins a determined campaign to save him, even seeking out the powerful Abbé de Frilair.
- Abbé de Frilair
The all-powerful leader of the congregation in Besançon, who meets with Mathilde and sees a potential political advantage in helping her.
- Marquis de la Mole
Mentioned as Mathilde's powerful father and an opponent of Abbé de Frilair, whose reputation is a concern for Julien.
- M. de Croisenois
Mentioned by Julien as the man he intends for Mathilde to marry after his death.
Key passages
“I sketched out the future very clearly. After my death I intended to remarry you to M. de Croisenois, who will officially of course then marry a widow.”
Julien tells Mathilde that he had planned for her to marry M. de Croisenois after his execution, as a way to secure her future.
Julien's pragmatic and almost detached planning for Mathilde's life after his death.
“I started by offering a hundred francs to one of the judge’s secretaries, who alleged at first that my admission into this turret was impossible. But once he had got the money the worthy man kept me waiting, raised objections, and I thought that he meant to rob me—”
Mathilde explains how she bribed a judge's secretary to gain access to Julien's cell, though the man proved difficult even after taking her money.
Highlights the corruption and difficulties involved in navigating the legal system.
“She seriously suggested that she should kill herself with him.”
Mathilde proposed that they die together.
Shows the extreme and romantic nature of Mathilde's devotion.
“M. de Frilair seemed astonished at the name. Mathilde shewed him several letters from the Minister of War, addressed to M. Julien Sorel de la Vernaye.”
The Abbé was surprised to learn Julien's new name, and Mathilde showed him official letters to prove his standing.
The revelation of Julien's new identity and connections changes the dynamic of the negotiation.
