The Red and the Black (Stendhal)

*The Red and the Black* by Stendhal is a novel about Julien Sorel, a talented but ambitious young man in 19th-century France. He seeks to rise in society through intelligence and charm, navigating through love, ambition, and social class. The title reflects the two main themes: "red" symbolizes passionate, revolutionary impulses (like the military or church), while "black" represents authority, tradition, and societal constraints. Julien’s personal struggles showcase the conflict between individual desires and societal expectations, exploring themes of ambition, hypocrisy, and the quest for identity. The novel offers a nuanced look at ambition and social mobility in post-Napoleonic France.