The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XV. The Cock’S Song explained
Julien, having returned from Verrières, is sulky and decides to make a bold, risky proposition to Madame de Rênal: he will come to her room at two in the morning.
What happens
Julien, having returned from Verrières, is sulky and decides to make a bold, risky proposition to Madame de Rênal: he will come to her room at two in the morning. She responds with real indignation, and Julien, feeling humiliated and disconcerted, spends the evening in a state of anxiety. At two o'clock, he goes to her room, terrified, and finds her awake. He throws himself at her feet, and they begin their affair. Julien, however, is unable to enjoy the moment, instead obsessing over playing the role of a man accustomed to women, while Madame de Rênal is torn between ecstasy and remorse.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Julien's approach to love is a calculated strategy, a 'manœuvre' to force signs of tenderness. His victory is less about passion and more about fulfilling a self-imposed duty to play a role, turning the affair into a battlefield of pride and control.
Self-Identity and Authenticity
Julien's 'distorted pride' prevents him from being authentic. He is so focused on playing the part of a 'man accustomed to the subjugation of women' that he spoils his natural charm and fails to enjoy genuine happiness, highlighting the conflict between his true self and his performed identity.
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
Julien's obsession with playing a role is tied to his social ambitions. He fears 'eternal ridicule' if he departs from the model he believes is expected of him, showing how his desire to rise above his peasant origins leads to a life of pretense and self-denial.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Feels sulky and humiliated after his proposition is rejected. He forces himself to go to Madame de Rênal's room, where his natural charm wins her over, but he is unable to savor his victory, obsessing over his 'duty' to play a role.
- Madame de Rênal
Reacts with genuine indignation to Julien's proposition, but is later troubled by his despair. She gives in to her feelings for him, experiencing both ecstasy and a fear of eternal damnation.
- Madame Derville
Present in the garden, Julien sits next to her to avoid Madame de Rênal. She is the one who had earlier implied Julien was coarse and inexperienced.
- M. de Rênal
Julien listens at his door and hears him snoring, which removes any excuse for not going to Madame de Rênal's room.
Key passages
“His absence had caused his clumsiness to be forgotten. But on that day also he was rather sulky.”
Julien's time away had made people overlook his awkwardness, but he was still in a bad mood.
Highlights Julien's persistent dissatisfaction and his inability to let go of his perceived failures.
“He was a prey to the astonishment and nervous anxiety of the man who has just obtained what he has long desired. He has been accustomed to desire, and has no longer anything to desire, and nevertheless has no memories.”
Julien felt the shock and unease of someone who finally gets what they've always wanted, but finds that the desire is gone and there is no lasting satisfaction.
Captures the emptiness of Julien's victory, showing that his achievement brings no real happiness.
“Instead of watching the transports which he was bringing into existence, and those pangs of remorse which only set their keenness into fuller relief, the idea of duty was continually before his eyes.”
Rather than appreciating the passion and guilt he was causing, Julien was constantly preoccupied with his sense of obligation to act a certain way.
Illustrates how Julien's obsession with duty and performance prevents him from experiencing genuine emotion.