How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
A stream that rushes down from the mountains, crossing through Verrières and then pouring itself into the Doubs, powers a good many sawmills—an immensely simple industry that provides a modest living for most of the inhabitants, more peasant than bourgeois. (1.1.2)
Many of the people from Julien Sorel's hometown are peasants. Now you might expect descriptions of how dismal their lives are, but "peasant" in this book doesn't necessarily mean what you'd expect. In France, the classes used to be based on people's family history, not their money. That's why you can end up with very wealthy peasants in this book. People don't respect money as much as they respect education and good breeding.
Quote #2
"My grandfather used to tell us how, in his youth, he had a tutor. This one will cost me a hundred gold crowns, but we must see this expense as something necessary to preserve our social standing." (1.3.26)
Monsieur de Rênal is concerned with the way society sees him. It's not good enough to be rich and to come from a good family. Everyone in town needs to know how wealthy and well bred he is. After all, what's the good of being a great man if people don't admire you for it?
Quote #3
For the first time in her life, Madame de Rênal felt something like a desire for vengeance on her husband. And Julien's profound hatred for the rich was rising to the surface. (1.9.33)
After Julien starts his affair with Madame de Rênal, Madame gets infected by Julien's dislike for the rich. This leads Madame to seek vengeance on her husband for being such a pompous, clueless dude.