The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XIV. The English Scissors explained
Julien Sorel, unsettled by Fouqué's offer, devises a calculated plan to seduce Madame de Rênal, but his clumsy attempts backfire.
What happens
Julien Sorel, unsettled by Fouqué's offer, devises a calculated plan to seduce Madame de Rênal, but his clumsy attempts backfire. He tries to kiss her, then kicks her foot under the table, causing her to drop her scissors. Madame Derville remains suspicious, and Madame de Rênal warns him to be prudent. Julien, frustrated, visits the curé Chélan, who has been deprived of his living, and writes to Fouqué to keep his options open.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Julien's calculated plan to seduce Madame de Rênal is a power play, but his clumsiness reveals the imbalance and his inexperience.
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
Julien's manipulation of the curé's dismissal to keep his options open highlights his strategic hypocrisy in pursuing social advancement.
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien's inner conflict between his heroic aspirations and his actual behavior underscores his struggle with authenticity.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Devises a plan of seduction, but his clumsy actions reveal his inexperience and inner conflict.
- Madame de Rênal
Torn between her growing feelings and her virtue, she is shocked by Julien's advances and warns him to be prudent.
- Madame Derville
Observes Julien's behavior with suspicion, calling him a 'sly fox' and noting his silly manners.
- Fouqué
His offer of a business partnership unsettles Julien, prompting him to reconsider his path.
- Curé Chélan
Found moving out after being deprived of his living; Julien helps him and uses the injustice to keep his options open.
- M. de Rênal
Julien tells him he is going to Verrières to see the curé, unaware of the real reason.
- M. de Maugiron
The sub-prefect of Bray, whose presence during the scissors incident is used by Madame de Rênal to cover up Julien's kick.
Key passages
“Fouqué’s offer had, as a matter of fact, taken away all Julien’s happiness; he could not make up his mind to any definite course.”
Fouqué's proposal made Julien miserable because he couldn't decide what to do.
Julien's indecision reflects his inner turmoil.
“He made himself a very minute plan of campaign, moulded on the confidences of Fouqué, and a little that he had read about love in the Bible.”
He created a detailed plan for seduction based on Fouqué's advice and some biblical love stories.
Julien's calculated approach to love is both naive and strategic.
““That little tutor of yours inspires me with a great deal of suspicion,” said Madame Derville to her sometimes. “I think he looks as if he were always thinking, and he never acts without calculation. He is a sly fox.””
Madame Derville warns Madame de Rênal that Julien is always calculating and untrustworthy.
Madame Derville's suspicion contrasts with Madame de Rênal's growing affection.
““You noticed them falling before I did—you could have prevented it, instead, all your zealousness only succeeding in giving me a very big kick.””
Madame de Rênal scolds Julien for his clumsy attempt to cover up his kick, saying he could have prevented the scissors from falling.
The scissors incident highlights Julien's awkwardness and the risk of exposure.
