"Red and Black" (French Le Rouge et le Noir) (subtitle: Chronicle of the XIX century (French Chronique du xixe siècle) is a novel by Stendhal, published in 1830. The work takes place in the 1820s in France. widely known in the last third of the 19th century as a key example-predecessor of psychological realism - a trend that by that time had become predominant in European literature.
The novel is included in the World Library (the list of the most significant works of world literature of the Norwegian Book Club).
Volpert L.I. suggested that the name is associated with the game of roulette: red - winning, black - losing. According to Volpert L.I., play is constantly present in the behavior of the hero, for he almost always has to put on a mask - to be a hypocrite, to play a role, often on the verge of life and death. The researcher also notes that the theme of the game, the mask, will become constant in Stendhal's novels.
The title of Standal's novel caused a lot of controversy and bewilderment - it was deeply innovative. In the second and third decades of the 19th century, romantics introduced unusual, mysterious names into fashion, however, unlike Stendalev's, they were always explained by the text, which in one form or another offered their solution. The title of Stendale's work contains a riddle.
Subsequently, many hypotheses were put forward as to why the author chose such a title for the novel, but an unambiguous opinion on this matter has not been formed in literary criticism to this day.
The plot is taken from a newspaper article that Stendhal read in a Grenoble newspaper. This is a typical case for that time.
The mayor of the small French town of Verrières (Verrières-de-Joux in the department of Doubs), Monsieur de Renal, takes a young man by the name of Julien Sorel into the house of the governor. Ambitious and ambitious, Julien studies theology, knows Latin and reads pages from the Bible by heart, from childhood he dreams of fame and recognition, and also admires Napoleon. He believes that the path of a priest is a sure way to make a career. His politeness and intelligence are in sharp contrast to the manners and character of M. de Renal, whose wife is gradually imbued with sympathy for Julien, and then falls in love with him. They become lovers, but Madame de Renal is pious, she is constantly tormented by pangs of conscience, besides, the deceived husband receives an anonymous letter warning about his wife's betrayal. Julien, by prior agreement with Madame de Renal, makes a similar letter, as if it came to her. But rumors circulate around the city, and Julien has to leave. He gets a job at a theological seminary in Besançon, amazing the rector, Abbot Pirard, with his knowledge. When the time comes to choose a confessor for himself, he chooses Pirard, who, as it turned out later, was suspected of Jansenism.
They want to force Pirar to resign. His friend, the wealthy and influential Marquis de La Mole, invites the abbot to move to Paris and gives him a parish four leagues from the capital. When the marquis mentioned that he was looking for a secretary, Pirard suggested Julien - as a person who "has both energy and intelligence." He is very happy to be in Paris. The Marquis, in turn, notes Julien for his hard work and ability and entrusts him with the most difficult cases. He also meets the daughter of the Marquis, Matilda, who is frankly bored in high society. Matilda is spoiled and selfish, but not stupid and very beautiful. The pride's pride is offended by Julien's indifference, and suddenly she falls in love with him. Julien does not feel passionate in return, but the attention of the aristocrat flatters him. After a night spent together, Matilda is horrified and breaks off relations with Julien, who is tormented by unrequited love. His friend, Prince Korazov, advises to cause jealousy in Matilda by flirting with other women, and the plan unexpectedly succeeds. Matilda falls in love with Julien again, and then announces that she is expecting a child and wants to marry him. However, Sorel's bright plans are upset by a sudden letter from Madame de Renal.
The Marquis de La Mole does not want to see Julien. The same one goes to Madame de Renal, buys a pistol on the way and shoots at his former lover in the church. Madame Renal does not die of her wounds, but Julien is still taken into custody. Matilda, with the help of money and family influence, decides at all costs to save Sorel, for which she achieves the support of the most influential Abbot Friler, who, in exchange for the rank of bishop, is ready to obtain an acquittal through the jury (for the support of eight of whom, including the current mayor Verrier Valno, he could calmly count), besides, Mrs. Renal herself asks the jury to acquit her failed murderer. The resonant process attracts many viewers who fully sympathize with the accused. At the trial, everything is in favor of Julien, but after his speech criticizing the bourgeois, the jury unanimously sentenced Sorel to death. In prison, he again reconciles with Madame de Renal and repents in the attempt to commit murder. He understands that he has always been in love only with her. Madame de Renal comes to him in prison and says that the letter was written by her confessor, and she only rewrote it. After Julien was sentenced to death, he refuses to appeal, reinforcing this by the fact that he has achieved everything in life, and death will only finish this path. Madame de Renal dies three days after Julien's execution. Matilda organizes Sorel's funeral.
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