The Red and the Black · Chapter
Chapter XXVII. First Experience Of Life explained
Julien Sorel's first experiences in the seminary are marked by profound disgust and discouragement.
What happens
Julien Sorel's first experiences in the seminary are marked by profound disgust and discouragement. He struggles with the hypocrisy and corruption of his fellow seminarians, who are obsessed with material gain and political maneuvering. His intelligence and logical reasoning make him an outcast, earning him the nickname 'Martin Luther'. He feels isolated and considers abandoning his ecclesiastical career, but his ambition and fear of a meaningless life keep him going.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Social Mobility
Julien's attempts at hypocritical gestures fail, and he observes the seminarians' obsession with material gain and social advancement through the Church.
Ambition and Its Cost
Julien's ambition to rise above his peasant origins is challenged by the disgust he feels for the seminary's corruption, and he contemplates the high price of success.
Religion as Institution
The seminary is depicted as a corrupt institution focused on power and money, rather than spirituality, with the Pope as a 'second god' and the clergy seeking lucrative positions.
Characters to notice
- Julien Sorel
Experiences deep disgust and discouragement in the seminary, feeling isolated and considering leaving. His intelligence and cleanliness make him a target for ridicule and hatred.
- Abbé Pirard
Mentioned as the rector of the seminary, whose authority the seminarians fear. Julien's colleagues are careful not to be overheard by him.
- Monsieur Castanède
A teacher at the seminary who delivers a lecture on the power of the Pope and the material benefits of the priesthood, embodying the corruption Julien despises.
- Curé Chélan
Mentioned as having given Julien the habit of reasoning correctly, which proves to be a disadvantage in the seminary.
Key passages
“The present time, Great God! is the ark of the Lord; cursed be he who touches it.— Diderot .”
The current era is sacred, and any attempt to interfere with it is cursed.
Epigraph setting the tone for the chapter's critique of the Church.
“I have so often presumed to congratulate myself on being different from the other young peasants! Well, I have lived enough to realise that difference engenders hate ,” he said to himself one morning.”
Julien realizes that his uniqueness among the peasant seminarians only brings him hatred.
Julien's painful insight into the social dynamics of the seminary.
“Render yourselves worthy, by the holiness of your life and by your obedience, of the benevolence of the Pope. Be like a stick in his hands ,” he added, “and you will obtain a superb position, where you will be far from all control, and enjoy the King’s commands, a position from which you cannot be removed, and where one-third of the salary is paid by the Government, while the faithful who are moulded by your preaching pay the other two-thirds.”
Castanède tells the seminarians that by being obedient tools of the Pope, they will secure lucrative and secure positions in the Church.
Illustrates the corrupt and materialistic teachings of the seminary.
“By dint of thinking about him, his colleagues succeeded in expressing the horror with which he would inspire them by a single expression; they nicknamed him Martin Luther, “particularly,” they said, “because of that infernal logic which makes him so proud.””
Julien's fellow seminarians call him 'Martin Luther' because his logical reasoning and pride make them uneasy.
Shows how Julien's intelligence isolates him and marks him as a heretic.
