Review of the book “Red and Black” by Stendhal.
Red and Black is a novel written by Stendhal, originally published in 1830. The work is considered one of the great novels of the 19th century and has been acclaimed for its keen observation of French society at the time of the Restoration. The novel tells the story of Julien Sorel, a young peasant with great ambitions who manages to escape his humble origins to seek his fortune in Parisian society.
The novel unfolds in two parts, each of which presents a different setting. The first part of the novel takes place in the town of Verrières, a small town in eastern France where Julien Sorel lives with his family. The second part of the novel takes place in Paris, where Julien begins to rise in French society.
Julien Sorel is the central character of the novel and his journey through French society is the common thread of the plot. The character is a complex and contradictory figure, who struggles with his own ambitions, desires and principles. The novel focuses on Julien’s internal struggle to find his place in the world and achieve his goals, despite the limitations imposed by his humble origins and lack of education.
One of the main themes of the novel is the class struggle in French society. Stendhal portrays French society of the time with great realism, showing the differences between the rich and the poor, the aristocrats and the bourgeois, and the citizens and the peasants. Through the story of Julien Sorel, the author explores how education, ambition and cunning can help overcome social barriers.
Another important theme of the novel is love and passion. Julien Sorel falls in love with several women throughout the novel, each of whom represents a different aspect of his personality and ambitions. Love becomes a key element in Julien’s struggle to find his place in society and achieve his goals.
Stendhal’s writing style is clear and concise, and the novel is known for its effective use of psychological realism. Through the detailed description of the characters’ thoughts and feelings, Stendhal creates a vivid and authentic portrait of French society of the time.
In conclusion, Red and Black is a masterpiece of French literature that explores themes such as class struggle, love and passion, and ambition and cunning. The novel is known for its realistic portrait of French society at the time of the Restoration and for its main character, Julien Sorel, a young peasant struggling to find his place in the world. The novel is essential reading for anyone interested in classical literature and is one of the most important works of the 19th century.
Source: https://algunoslibrosbuenos.com/rojo-y-negro
