Red and Black

Author: Stendhal
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2000-12-06
Features: This novel is based on a criminal case, undergoing transformation, imagination, and creation, resulting in an immortal work that truly reflects life, vividly portrays characters, and possesses extremely high artistic and intellectual value. The protagonist of the novel, Julien Sorel, comes from a humble background but loves reading and is deeply concerned with politics. He aspires to achieve great things like Napoleon, relying on his own talent to carve out a path and build a glorious career. Throughout his life, he repeatedly tries his luck—becoming a priest, a tutor, engaging in politics, and mingling with the elite. He is always cautious and opportunistic, having conquered upper-class women and gained the trust of the ruling class. His life is filled with ups and downs, and ultimately, he becomes a victim of the class society. Yet, he never submits to injustice, maintaining his resistance to an unjust society until the very end.