# Chapter XXVI. The World, Or What The Rich Lack explained — The Red and the Black

> Chapter companion for The Red and the Black by Stendhal.

## What happens

Julien Sorel, now at the seminary, observes his fellow seminarians with a mixture of contempt and pity. He realizes that their piety is often a means to secure material comforts, and he struggles to adopt the outward signs of devoutness while maintaining his inner ambitions. His choice of Abbé Pirard as confessor marks a decisive step, and he becomes aware of the political and personal rivalries within the seminary, particularly between Pirard and Castanède.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Social Mobility

Julien's calculated adoption of pious behavior to advance his ambitions, and the seminarians' respect for wealth and power.

### Class and Aristocratic Prejudice

The seminarians' deference to 'big men' and the government, reflecting the class hierarchy in provincial France.

### Religion as Institution

The seminary as a place of careerism and political maneuvering rather than genuine faith.

## Character check-ins

### Julien Sorel

Julien navigates the seminary's social dynamics, feeling isolated and striving to perfect his hypocrisy.

### Abbé Pirard

Pirard confronts Julien about the playing card and later becomes his chosen confessor, despite being suspected of Jansenism.

### Abbé Castanède

Castanède is the sub-director and Pirard's enemy, whose spies stole Julien's address.

### Chazel

A seminarian with real talent, but he and Julien feel mutually unsympathetic.

## Key lines

> What can one gain, they would often repeat among themselves, by having a law suit with 'a big man?'

The seminarians believe it is futile to challenge the wealthy, as they hold all the power.

_Illustrates the class deference and pragmatism of the peasants._

> Alas, it is my only weapon, he said to himself. At another period I should have earned my livelihood by eloquent deeds in the face of the enemy.

Julien laments that hypocrisy is his only tool in this era, whereas in Napoleon's time he could have achieved glory through action.

_Reflects Julien's internal conflict and his romanticized view of the past._

## Links

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