"Red and black" — the classical novel by the French writer Henri Mari Beylia, better known under a pseudonym Stendhal. The book became one of the first and brightest samples of the psychological novel.
Red or black: as Julien Sorel became himself
The main character of the novel — the young man from rather poor family by the name of Julien Sorel. Clever by nature, the persistent and not deprived of talent young man chokes within the petty-bourgeois family. Came time of post-Napoleonic France — time of restoration and "slackness" in all industries of life of society of that time. Julien dreams of glory, of a high position in light, but to the person from simple family the road is closed there. Fifteen years ago the young man could become in thirty years a colonel, and in forty — the marshal. Today the noble title, communications and money is for this purpose necessary.
The only and shortest way upward — rise on a ladder of church hierarchy which is chosen by Julien. Here it is accompanied by success: he is a brilliant pupil, can recite the Scripture and for people around obviously that in the future he can easily count on a red attire of the bishop or even cardinal. However such way not to liking to a warm heart of Sorel and it still dreams of other field of application of the talents. Therefore it without thinking uses the first hole which allows to curtail from this way.
The real case from judicial practice was the basis for the novel: business of the smith shooting at the mistress.
Monsieur D'Renal is the simple-minded aristocrat in whose house Julien teaches the Scripture and Latin. It thus entered the desired aristocratic world, but is not its part. He is a stranger on it to a ball what to it unambiguously and quite often mister D'Renal points to. It cannot take down the similar relation to Julien, and he "hits" the arrogant aristocrat into the weakest point — his young wife. What at first thought as revenge develops into sincere mutual feeling, and he tries to obtain her love. It, certainly, cannot end with good, and the young man with scandal leaves the house Renalya, having gone to come to seminary of the city of Besançon.
Julien and Matilda
Again it appeared there from where sought to run away. The red officer uniform, and not a so black cassock of the priest is seen on himself by Sorel. Very soon he makes escape again, and in the same way. This time young Matilda de La Mol becomes an object of its attention, only this time Julien knew beyond doubt that it is necessary for it from the owner of a desired title. The young girl was over head and ears in love with it. The old marquis, Matilda's father shocked with the fact that his daughter is in love with the commoner honestly tries to correct a situation and to avoid scandal. Publicity for it — a shame, feelings of the daughter — are sacred therefore he decides to play safe game: to get to Julien Sorel a title. But before it is the mere formality: several certificates of the past of the young man.
The name "Red and Black" and remained a riddle for literary critics. Stendhal did not leave even the short notes opening this riddle.
Julienne triumphs — it in one step from execution of the dream. But she is not fated to come true — the past overtakes it at the most inappropriate moment. Short retelling of recent events in the letter from madam Renal puts an end Sorel's plans. She not only is offended by Julien's intention to marry another, but also sees the true purposes of the young careerist. However, she could not assume how far he can come, seeing the crash of the hopes and to what tragedy it will lead all heroes of this story. Julien's dreams failed suddenly. They were destroyed by the only woman whom he loved. The end will be put in the history by a pistol shot after which Sorel will lose the head, and madam Renal by miracle will survive. However on it the tragedy will not end, and at Stendhal's will and she will die in three days after the death of the beloved.