The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XX. Anonymous Letters explained
Julien warns Madame de Rênal that her husband suspects them and advises against meeting that night.
What happens
Julien warns Madame de Rênal that her husband suspects them and advises against meeting that night. Despite this, she comes to his door, but he does not open it. The next morning, she sends him a frantic letter via the cook, revealing her fear that an anonymous letter has exposed their affair. She proposes a plan: she will claim to have received an anonymous letter herself, and they will stage a separation to deflect suspicion, while she prepares a fake anonymous letter for Julien to send to her husband. The letter is filled with her desperation and love, and she outlines a scheme involving a white handkerchief as a signal.
Themes in this chapter
Love as Power Struggle
Madame de Rênal's letter reveals the intense emotional manipulation and power dynamics in her relationship with Julien, as she pleads for his love while orchestrating a dangerous deception.
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
The plan to fake an anonymous letter and manipulate public perception underscores the hypocrisy inherent in maintaining social standing, as Madame de Rênal and Julien scheme to protect their positions.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Warns Madame de Rênal of suspicion and locks himself in his room; receives her frantic letter and is touched by her spelling mistakes.
- Madame de Rênal
In a state of panic, writes a long, tearful letter to Julien, proposing a plan to deceive her husband and blaming M. Valenod for the anonymous letter.
- M. de Rênal
Suspected of having received an anonymous letter; his suspicions drive the chapter's events.
- M. Valenod
Accused by Madame de Rênal of being the author of the anonymous letter; she plans to make her husband believe this.
Key passages
“Do not give dalliance Too much the rein; the strongest oaths are straw To the fire i’ the blood.”
Don't let passion control you; even the most solemn promises are weak against the heat of desire.
The epigraph sets the tone for the chapter's theme of passion overriding caution.
“So you did not want to receive me to-night? There are moments when I think that I have never read down to the depths of your soul. Your looks frighten me. I am afraid of you.”
You refused to see me tonight? Sometimes I feel I don't truly know you, and your gaze terrifies me.
Madame de Rênal expresses her insecurity and fear of Julien's emotional distance.
“I will show you an easy way. Go and show this letter to all Verrières, or rather show it to M. Valenod. Tell him that I love you, nay, do not utter such a blasphemy, tell him I adore you...”
If you want to ruin me, it's easy: show this letter to everyone, especially M. Valenod, and tell him I adore you.
Madame de Rênal offers a dramatic, self-destructive solution to her anguish.