The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XLIII. A Plot explained
Julien Sorel, now in Paris, becomes increasingly suspicious of Mathilde de la Mole's attentions, believing she and her aristocratic circle are mocking him.
What happens
Julien Sorel, now in Paris, becomes increasingly suspicious of Mathilde de la Mole's attentions, believing she and her aristocratic circle are mocking him. He observes her behavior, her reading of Voltaire, and her disdain for the Marquis de Croisenois, interpreting it as a plot against him. Despite his suspicions, he is drawn to her beauty and elegance, and his imagination transforms her into a figure of intrigue and depravity. He plans a journey to Languedoc to escape, but Mathilde's agitation and strange looks suggest deeper feelings. Julien's internal conflict intensifies as he contemplates the social gulf between them, and he resolves to assert his worth, even imagining a violent confrontation with his rival.
Themes in this chapter
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
Julien's internal monologue reveals his acute awareness of his low birth and the disdain of the aristocracy, as he weighs his worth against the noble Marquis de Croisenois.
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien struggles with his identity as a peasant in Parisian high society, questioning whether Mathilde's interest is genuine or a plot, and whether his own feelings are real or a product of his imagination.
Ambition and Its Cost
Julien's ambition drives him to consider the advantages of his ecclesiastical dress and the potential for power, even as he contemplates violent actions to assert his status.
Love as Power Struggle
The dynamic between Julien and Mathilde is framed as a battle of wits and wills, with Julien seeing her interest as a potential trap and his own feelings as a weakness to be overcome.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Suspicious of Mathilde's motives, he oscillates between belief in a plot against him and his own growing attraction. He plans a journey to Languedoc and contemplates his social standing.
- Mathilde de la Mole
Shows signs of agitation and interest in Julien, but he interprets her behavior as a possible mystification. She avoids social events and displays sharp wit toward her aristocratic suitors.
- Marquis de la Mole
Entrusts Julien with the administration of his estates in Lower Languedoc, reluctantly consenting to his journey.
- M. de Croisenois
The young nobleman who is the target of Mathilde's jests, and whom Julien sees as a rival.
- Comte Norbert
Mathilde's brother, who is present in the salon and becomes a target of her witticisms.
- Madame de la Mole
Her disdainful looks toward Julien are remembered by him, fueling his resentment.
Key passages
“It is impossible that this trio is making fun of me thought Julien.”
Julien suspects that Mathilde and her friends are mocking him.
Julien's paranoia about being the target of aristocratic jokes.
“The pleasure of scoring over the marquis de Croisenois completed the rout of this echo of virtue.”
The satisfaction of outdoing the Marquis de Croisenois silenced Julien's moral qualms.
Julien's rivalry with Croisenois fuels his ambition and desire for revenge.
“I am shrewd enough to choose the uniform of my century.”
Julien decides to embrace the ecclesiastical career as the modern path to power.
Julien's pragmatic approach to social advancement in the Restoration era.
