The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter LXX. Tranquility explained
Julien Sorel, awaiting trial for the attempted murder of Madame de Rênal, finds a strange tranquility in his final days.
What happens
Julien Sorel, awaiting trial for the attempted murder of Madame de Rênal, finds a strange tranquility in his final days. He reflects on his past passions, particularly his love for Mathilde, which now leaves him cold. He rejects the advocate's suggestion to plead jealousy, insisting on the truth of premeditation. Meanwhile, Mathilde and Fouqué work behind the scenes, with Mathilde leveraging her connections to influence the jury selection. Madame de Rênal, despite her husband's orders, writes to each juryman pleading for Julien's life, arguing his innocence and the madness of his act.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Free Will
Julien accepts his impending death with a sense of fatalism, while others actively try to alter his fate, highlighting the tension between destiny and human agency.
Love as Power Struggle
Mathilde's efforts to save Julien are driven by her aristocratic pride and desire for control, while Madame de Rênal's plea is an act of self-sacrifice, illustrating love's complex dynamics.
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
The jury selection and the legal proceedings are influenced by class biases, with Abbé de Frilair manipulating the system to favor the well-born.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
In a state of philosophical calm, reflecting on his past and facing his trial with a sense of detachment.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Actively working to save Julien by influencing the jury selection and corresponding with influential figures.
- Madame de Rênal
Despite her husband's orders, writes to the jurors to plead for Julien's life, showing her enduring love and guilt.
- Fouqué
Visits Julien and informs him of Madame de Rênal's recovery, though Julien avoids discussing her.
- Abbé de Frilair
Confident in his ability to influence the jury, seeing Julien's case as an opportunity to demonstrate his power.
- M. de Rênal
Terrified by his wife's desire to go to Besançon, fearing political repercussions and public scandal.
Key passages
“It is because I was foolish then that I am wise to-day. Oh thou philosopher who seest nothing except the actual instant. How short-sighted are thy views! Thine eye is not adapted to follow the subterranean work of the passions.”
My past foolishness has made me wise now. You who only see the present moment are blind to the hidden workings of the heart.
Julien reflects on his past mistakes and the deeper currents of emotion that have led him to his current state.
“There is murder, and murder with premeditation,” said Julien to the judge as he had done to the advocate, “I am sorry, gentlemen, he added with a smile, that this reduces your functions to a very small compass.”
Julien admits to the judge and lawyer that he committed premeditated murder, apologizing with a smile that this makes their job simple.
Julien's candid admission and ironic smile show his acceptance of his fate and his disdain for the legal process.
“Leave me my ideal life. Your pettifogging troubles and details of practical life all more or less jar on me and bring me down from my heaven.”
Let me live in my ideal world. Your trivial concerns and practical matters disturb my peace and drag me from my bliss.
Julien rejects the mundane worries of his friends, preferring to remain in a state of philosophical detachment.
