# Abbé Pirard — The Red and the Black character guide > Abbé Pirard in The Red and the Black by Stendhal. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** M. Pirard, Pirard, the severe abbé Pirard, the stern abbé Pirard **First appearance:** 0025-chapter-xxv-the-seminary ## Snapshot A Jansenist priest with a bilious temper and an incorruptible conscience, who protects Julien in a seminary built on intrigue. ## Who they are Pirard runs the Besançon seminary as a bastion against what he calls Jesuitism and idolatry, and his sincerity has made him ten years of enemies. When the examiner's trick drops Julien to number 198, the abbé is ill for eight days — his protégé's disgrace is his own. Rigid, humorless, and genuinely good, he is the one mentor who asks nothing of Julien but integrity, and the one whose disappointment Julien cannot shrug off. ## Relationships ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _professional_ Mentor and protector, guiding Julien's ecclesiastical career while offering stern moral advice. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _professional_ A respectful working relationship, with Pirard serving as the Marquis's spiritual advisor and intermediary. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _professional_ Mentor and protector, guiding Julien's ecclesiastical career while offering stern moral advice. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _professional_ A respectful working relationship, with Pirard serving as the Marquis's spiritual advisor and intermediary. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _professional_ A respectful working relationship, with Pirard serving as the Marquis's spiritual advisor and intermediary. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _professional_ Mentor and protector, guiding Julien's ecclesiastical career while offering stern moral advice. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXV. The Seminary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxv-the-seminary) The director of the seminary, stern and intimidating, interviews Julien and assigns him to cell No. 103. ### [Chapter XXVI. The World, Or What The Rich Lack](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxvi-the-world-or-what-the-rich-lack) Pirard confronts Julien about the playing card and later becomes his chosen confessor, despite being suspected of Jansenism. ### [Chapter XXVII. First Experience Of Life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxvii-first-experience-of-life) Mentioned as the rector of the seminary, whose authority the seminarians fear. Julien's colleagues are careful not to be overheard by him. ### [Chapter XXVIII. A Procession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxviii-a-procession) Assigns Julien to help with the cathedral decorations. ### [Chapter XXIX. The First Promotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxix-the-first-promotion) Leaves the seminary, appoints Julien as tutor, and departs for Paris after receiving a prestigious living. ### [Chapter XXXI. The Pleasures Of The Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxi-the-pleasures-of-the-country) Accompanies Julien to Paris, gives him detailed advice about the de la Mole family and social expectations. ### [Chapter XXXII. Entry Into Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxii-entry-into-society) Warns Julien about Parisian society and advises him on dress and behavior. ### [The First Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxiii-the-first-steps) Has left for his living, deciding to let Julien succeed or fail on his own. ### [Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxiv-the-h-tel-de-la-mole) Works with Julien in the library, is scandalized by Julien's request to dine elsewhere, and appreciates the honor of dining with a great lord. ### [Chapter XXXV. Sensibility And A Great Pious Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxv-sensibility-and-a-great-pious-lady) Instructs Julien and introduces him to Jansenist societies, opening a new world for Julien. ### [Chapter XXXVII. An Attack Of Gout](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxvii-an-attack-of-gout) The Marquis confides in him about Julien's birth and his decision to 'ennoble' him. He is also credited by Julien for the idea of exactness in accounts. ### [Chapter XLVII. An Old Sword](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlvii-an-old-sword) Mentioned as a potential confidant, but Julien fears he will not listen. ### [Chapter LI. The Secret Note](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-li-the-secret-note) Not directly present, but the tall thin man in the salon reminds Julien of the old bishop of Besançon, possibly a reference to Pirard's circle. ### [Chapter LIII. The Clergy, The Forests, Liberty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-liii-the-clergy-the-forests-liberty) Not explicitly mentioned in this chapter, but his influence on Julien's clerical path is implied. ### [Chapter LVII. The Finest Places In The Church](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lvii-the-finest-places-in-the-church) Warns Julien about the Jesuitical salon of Madame de Fervaques, reflecting sectarian tensions. ### [Chapter LXIII. The Hell Of Weakness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxiii-the-hell-of-weakness) Julien seeks his counsel; he advises a public marriage and becomes Mathilde's ally, arguing that any other course would be a crime in the eyes of God. ### [Chapter LXIV. A Man Of Intellect](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxiv-a-man-of-intellect) Provides shelter for Julien and is the only one who knows the secret of the planned marriage. ### [A Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxv-a-storm) Delivers the Marquis's gift of twenty thousand francs and advises Julien on his new identity, while disapproving of his worldly vanity. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/abbe_pirard - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters