The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XXII. Manners Of Procedure In 1830 explained
Julien returns to Verrières and works to repair his reputation, building a bookcase for the displaced Curé Chélan and deftly handling a visit from the sub-prefect who tries to lure him away with a better salary.
What happens
Julien returns to Verrières and works to repair his reputation, building a bookcase for the displaced Curé Chélan and deftly handling a visit from the sub-prefect who tries to lure him away with a better salary. He also encounters M. Valenod and his allies, and enjoys a brief, joyful reunion with Madame de Rênal and her children, which is interrupted by M. de Rênal's suspicious and morose return.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
Julien uses Jesuitical language to conceal his thoughts and advance his position, while M. Valenod's rise is marked by coarseness and opportunism.
Class and Aristocratic Prejudice
M. de Rênal's vanity and suspicion are tied to his noble status, while Julien's low birth is a constant source of tension.
Provincial vs. Parisian Society
The chapter contrasts the petty intrigues and limited horizons of Verrières with the more sophisticated but equally corrupt Parisian world.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Returns to Verrières, builds a bookcase for Curé Chélan, handles the sub-prefect's offer with Jesuitical tact, and enjoys a tender moment with Madame de Rênal and her children.
- Madame de Rênal
Visits Julien secretly, shares a delicious breakfast with him and her children, and is overjoyed by his presence, but grows pale when her husband returns.
- M. de Rênal
Returns home to find his family happy with Julien, becomes suspicious and morose, and is displeased by the mention of money.
- M. Valenod
The director of the workhouse who offers Julien a higher salary and is seen as a coarse, ambitious rival to M. de Rênal.
- Curé Chélan
The old curé who has been dismissed from his living; Julien builds a bookcase for him, and he is moved to tears.
- M. de Maugiron
The sub-prefect who visits Julien to offer him a position with a higher salary, but is met with a vague and Jesuitical response.
- Stanislas-Xavier
One of Madame de Rênal's children, who offers to sell his silver goblet to give money to Julien, touching Julien deeply.
Key passages
“Speech has been given to man to conceal his thought.”
Language is used to hide one's true intentions.
Epigraph that sets the tone for the chapter's theme of hypocrisy.
“I thought you were corrupted by the vanity of the world, but this is something which well redeems all the childishness of that brilliant Guard of Honour uniform which has made you so many enemies.”
I feared you had been spoiled by worldly pride, but this act makes up for the foolishness of your uniform that has earned you enemies.
Curé Chélan praises Julien for building the bookcase, contrasting it with his earlier vanity.
“It suggested everything and yet said nothing clearly.”
His answer hinted at many things but committed to nothing.
Describes Julien's evasive response to the sub-prefect's offer.