- Essays
- On literature
- Other
- The image and characterization of Julien Sorel in Stendhal's novel Red and Black
Julien Sorel is an independent, self-respecting young man who passionately desires to change his destiny in any way. He is smart, handsome and terribly charming. The hero is the son of a carpenter, he does not want to put up with the fate prepared for him and tries in every possible way to escape from his environment.
The young man was attracted to military service. He always looked up to Napoleon. Those around him disliked him, because he dreamed of a big career and was not like his brothers. And yet the main character challenges society, finding himself surrounded by influential people.
Arriving at the house of M. de Renal, Julien was obsessed with ambitious plans. There he behaved in such a way that all the roads to his dream were open to him. Everything was not sincere on his part - his attitude towards Madame de Renal, who truly loved him, towards her children and husband. Julien, with the help of an influential family, wanted to take a strong position in society, to gain its respect, provided that he would be recognized as a full-fledged person, an extraordinary person, talented, gifted, intelligent, strong.
Julien combines two personalities - a proud man and an ambitious man, but at the same time a kind and spontaneous person, childishly naive. As he overcame ambition and pride, he ceased to be attracted to the proud and ambitious Matilda. Now he considered all the merits of the selfless Madame de Renal, who loved him sincerely. As a result, Julien began to reach out to her more.
Having been imprisoned for the attempt on the life of Madame de Renal, Julien realizes that he is no longer accused of the crime he committed, but because he dared to break the rules according to which he, a person from the lower strata, has no right to enter that world. to which he does not belong from birth. This act predetermined the sad fate of the young man. He was sentenced to death.
Thus, Julien’s victory over his own vices led to his death. The main character didn't even try to save himself. He resigned himself to his fate. Julien Sorel was unable to rebuild himself and overcome his delusions. Bourgeois society was no longer for him, and he did not want to live in the lower classes. Having realized everything, Julien has lost the meaning in life, so the guillotine is his only salvation. Julien Sorel was unable to rebuild himself and overcome his delusions. Bourgeois society was no longer for him, and he did not want to live in the lower classes.
