The Red and the Black

"The Red and the Black," a novel by Stendhal published in 1830, follows the ambitious young protagonist, Julien Sorel, as he navigates the rigid social hierarchy of post-Napoleonic France. The "red" symbolizes the military and the passion associated with it, while the "black" represents the clerical life and its associated power. Julien aspires to rise above his humble origins through intelligence and cunning, but his struggles with love, ambition, and societal expectations lead to tragic consequences. The novel explores themes of romance, class struggle, and the complexities of human ambition.