The Red and the Black by Stendhal. Short summary

5 seconds

Julien Sorel was born into a carpenter’s family, but he was talented and ambitious. He fell in love with Madame Renal and then with the aristocrat Mathilde. To marry the latter, he shoots the former. He is executed.

1 minute

Julien Sorel, son of a carpenter, has sought knowledge since childhood. Cure taught him the sciences. The mayor of the town, Mr. Renal, took him as a governess for his sons. Julien falls in love with Mrs. Renal. The young men are indiscreet and the servants spread gossip.

Sorel leaves for Besançon and enrolls in a seminary, thinking of taking the priesthood. But the rector, while in Paris, learns that the Marquis de La Molle needs a secretary. The rector recommends Sorel.

In Paris, Julien becomes a member of the aristocratic houses. He falls in love with La Molle’s daughter Mathilde. She admits to her father that she is pregnant. The Marquis thinks of marrying her off, but writes to the mayor of the town to inquire about the identity of the groom. Mistress Renal replies: Sorel is an unprincipled careerist.

Julien goes to his hometown and during mass shoots his former lover. He is arrested. The wound is not fatal, but Julien faces the death penalty. Mathilde arrives, trying to commute the sentence.

Sorel is executed. Mathilde takes Julien’s head with her. And Mrs Renal dies.