Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- Do you sympathize with Julien Sorel as a character? Is he a good guy in your eyes? Why or why not?
- What does Julien want out of life? What is his plan for getting it? Please use specific evidence from the text to support your answer.
- How does Julien manage to make Mathilde de La Mole love him in a lasting way? What does it say about her character?
- Why doesn't Julien appeal his death sentence at the end of the book? Why does he ruin his chances in court by speaking his mind?
- Whom does Julien decide he loves by the end of the book? What happens to this person?
- Why does Julien feel uncomfortable when his old buddy Fouqé offers him a good job with lots of security? Use specific evidence from the text to support your answer.
- What secret mission does the Marquis de La Mole get Julien to go on? What does it tell us about Julien's character?
- Why do people in this book tend to dislike Julien? What is it about him that gets people's backs up? Support your answer with evidence from the text.