The Red and the Black · Chapter
CHAPTER LXXII explained
Julien, now in the condemned cell, reflects on his impending execution and his love for Madame de Rênal.
What happens
Julien, now in the condemned cell, reflects on his impending execution and his love for Madame de Rênal. Mathilde visits him, but her emotional outbursts and reproaches fail to move him. He resolves not to appeal his sentence, finding a strange peace in his decision.
Themes in this chapter
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien's final reflections on his life and death reveal his struggle to maintain his authentic self in the face of societal judgment.
Love as Power Struggle
The dynamic between Julien and Mathilde in the prison cell exemplifies love as a battle for control and emotional dominance.
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
Julien's thoughts about the patricians' contempt for his humble origins highlight the class prejudices that shape his fate.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
In the condemned cell, he contemplates his death, his love for Madame de Rênal, and his decision not to appeal.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Visits Julien in prison, alternating between tenderness and fury, but fails to persuade him to appeal.
- Madame de Rênal
Julien imagines her reaction to his death, believing she will be the only one to sincerely mourn him.
- Abbé de Frilair
Mentioned as having betrayed Mathilde, and she was unable to see him before visiting hours.
- M. de Cholin
Julien imagines him and the abbé Maslon hiring a window to watch his execution.
- M. Maslon
Mentioned in Julien's cynical thought about the execution spectators.
- M. de Moirod
Julien imagines him and de Cholin commenting on his death, attributing his fate to his humble birth.
- M. de Rênal
Julien imagines him reading the newspaper that announces his execution.
Key passages
“How can I convince her that I love her alone after committing an action like that? For after all, it was either out of ambition, or out of love for Mathilde, that I wanted to kill her.”
Julien worries about proving his love to Madame de Rênal after his attempt on her life, questioning his own motives.
Julien's internal conflict about his feelings and actions.
“Upon my word, it will be all up with me if I find the God of the Christians there: He is a tyrant, and as such, he is full of ideas of vengeance: his Bible speaks of nothing but atrocious punishment.”
Julien fears the Christian God's vengeful nature, contrasting it with the more merciful God of Fénelon.
Julien's religious skepticism and fear of divine retribution.
“Was I not fine when I made my speech yesterday? I was improvising for the first time in my life! It is true that it is to be feared that it will also be the last.”
Julien sarcastically remarks on his courtroom speech, noting it was his first and likely last improvisation.
Julien's bitter humor about his trial.
“She will shed hot tears, I know her; it will matter nothing that I tried to assassinate her—all will be forgotten, and the person whose life I wished to take will be the only one who will sincerely lament my death.”
Julien believes Madame de Rênal will forgive him and be the only one to truly mourn his death.
Julien's conviction of Madame de Rênal's enduring love.
