# Curé Chélan — The Red and the Black character guide

> Curé Chélan in The Red and the Black by Stendhal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** M. Chélan, M. the curé Chélan, the curé Chélan, Chélan

**First appearance:** 0001-chapter-i-a-small-town

## Who they are

The aging parish priest of Verrières who sees something rare in the carpenter's bookish son and quietly steers him toward the Rênal household.

## In the story

### [Chapter II. A Mayor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-ii-a-mayor)

Mentioned as the target of M. Maslon's surveillance, indicating local clerical tensions.

### [Chapter III. The Poor Fund](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-iii-the-poor-fund)

The elderly curé of Verrières, who bravely accompanies M. Appert on visits to the prison and workhouse, despite potential repercussions.

### [Chapter V. A Negotiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-v-a-negotiation)

The local curé who has been teaching Julien theology and lending him books. Julien has learned the New Testament in Latin to win his favor, and he is a key figure in Julien's path to the priesthood.

### [Chapter VIII. Little Episodes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-viii-little-episodes)

Attempts to persuade Julien to accept Elisa's proposal, but fails.

### [Chapter X. A Great Heart And A Small Fortune](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-x-a-great-heart-and-a-small-fortune)

Julien intends to visit him on a matter of conscience.

### [Chapter XIV. The English Scissors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xiv-the-english-scissors)

Found moving out after being deprived of his living; Julien helps him and uses the injustice to keep his options open.

### [Chapter XVIII. A King At Verrières](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xviii-a-king-at-verri-res)

Invited to the ceremony despite the new curé's opposition; accompanies the bishop and carries a pole of the canopy.

### [Chapter XXII. Manners Of Procedure In 1830](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxii-manners-of-procedure-in-1830)

The old curé who has been dismissed from his living; Julien builds a bookcase for him, and he is moved to tears.

### [Sorrows Of An Official](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxiii-sorrows-of-an-official)

Interacts with Julien before his departure, attempting to persuade him.

### [Chapter XXV. The Seminary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxv-the-seminary)

Recommended Julien to the seminary; his letter is read by Abbé Pirard.

### [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 having given Julien the habit of reasoning correctly, which proves to be a disadvantage in the seminary.

### [Chapter XXX. An Ambitious Man](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxx-an-ambitious-man)

Mentioned by Julien as the source of a phrase, highlighting his influence on Madame de Rênal's language.

### [A Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxv-a-storm)

Julien sends him five hundred francs to distribute to the poor, a gesture reflecting his newfound wealth and lingering connection to his past.

### [A Turret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxvii-a-turret)

The aged curé visits Julien in prison, his physical and mental decline deeply affecting Julien and shattering his illusions about nobility of character.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/cure_chelan
- 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