Scarlet and Black

Scarlet and Black by Stendhal is, on the surface a love story. It is, however, raised to the status of a classic by virtue of the author's talent in providing the reader with sharp insights into the multifaceted aspects of his characters and thereby human nature, and secondly the manner in which the political and social conditions of France are used during the period in which the novel is set.

It is the very nature of Stendhal's highlighting of the multifaceted aspects of his characters' personalities that results in hypocrisy being such a strong central theme in Scarlet and Black. This is probably why that many critics have interpreted the title itself as an indication of the two sides of the hero's character - scarlet for passion and black for evil, or, at least, manipulative and scheming.

Julien Sorel, the novel's central protagonist, is born in rather humble circumstances as a carpenter's son, but is ambitious and restless enough to want to elevate his position in society. Realistic enough to realize that though his heart yearned for the romance and passion of a soldier's life, he would be more powerful and richer if he utilized his gift for learning as an ordained priest and Latin scholar, Sorel adopts the code of hypocrisy in his determination to gain social status.

Sorel's hypocrisy manifests itself in several ways. He adopts the mantle of priesthood, yet seduces the mayor's wife, Mme de Renal in an attempt to raise his social position. It can be even argued that Sorel was hypocritical with himself as well considering that he genuinely sometimes feels that he is in love with Mme de Renal, but when he is forced to leave town, he uses seduction again to win over his next employer's daughter - the aristocratic Mathilde de la Mole.

While there are many overt examples of human hypocrisy in Scarlet and Black, the importance and the significance of the theme really lies in Stendhal's highlighting of the fact that often individuals are sadly hypocritical with themselves. On a rational level, humanity may acknowledge the role of the ego in influencing thinking and choices but nevertheless continue to deceive themselves that beliefs, opinions, principles are the ruling force. This is evident in Sorel's very choice of the priestly and scholarly life over that of the army, which was clearly driven by his ego's desire for status, power and wealth. Further, Julien Sorel fails to uphold the accepted virtues and values of his chosen livelihood, seducing as he does women who he believes can help him achieve his goals.

Mme de Renal, the novel's other central character, also displays remarkable hypocrisy - first by the manner in which she deceives herself about her true feelings for Sorel; second by virtue of the fact that she plays up to the ideal role model of the wife and mother; and lastly when she persuades herself that she owes it to the sacred cause of religion and morality to prevent Julien Sorel's marriage to Mathilde de la Mole.

Stendhal does not stop at simply showcasing the hypocrisy in human nature. He uses the theme to express hypocrisy as a fundamental cause of human unhappiness. Sorel's hypocritical love affair with Mme de Renal ultimately causes the destruction of his ambitions, which he is so close to realizing through marriage to the aristocratic Mathilde de la Mode. Holding his former mistress at fault instead of his own actions, he is further driven to shoot Mme de Renal, leading to his arrest, trial and death.