The Red and the Black Pride Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"Although he's of low birth, the young man has a noble heart. He won't be of any use if his pride is wounded." (1.30.22)

Father Pirard senses Julien's pride within five minutes of meeting him. From that point on, he warns anyone working with Julien that the boy won't be of any use if he gets offended. You wouldn't like him if he's offended. In other words, people in this book need to treat Julien with respect if they're going to get any use out of him.

Quote #8

Madame de Fervaques saw the tears; they were in such sharp contrast to his usual masculine steadiness that the heart of this great lady, so long steeped in all the most corroding effects of social-climber pride, was moved. (2.30.24)

Madame de Fervaques is used to seeing young men try to act tough and manly out of pride. She also knows that Julien Sorel is a proud young man. But when she sees him crying at the opera, she senses that there might be something more to him than the men she's used to.

Quote #9

Julien had already become cold and distant. He expressed his thanks, but in the vaguest language, and without committing himself to anything. (2.35.9)

At first, Julien is overcome with the news that the Marquis de La Mole has given him all the property and social status he could ever want. But he almost immediately takes on this new social role and becomes cold. After all, that's what upper class people have always acted like around him, so that's how he plans on acting now.