# Fouqué — The Red and the Black character guide > Fouqué in The Red and the Black by Stendhal. **Role:** supporting **First appearance:** 0012-chapter-xii-a-journey ## Snapshot Julien's only true friend, a timber merchant with calloused hands and a provincial's reverence for money, who offers him an honest life and is refused. ## Who they are Fouqué loves Julien without understanding him, offering a partnership in the timber trade as an escape from the humiliations of servitude. He is the novel's one uncomplicatedly decent figure, and his bafflement at Mathilde's extravagance — the gold she flings away, the schemes that shift weekly — registers what Julien has become. His loyalty persists even when it costs him, making him the quiet moral counterweight to every ambition in the book. ## In the story ### [Chapter V. A Negotiation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-v-a-negotiation) A young wood-merchant and friend of Julien, who helps him hide his books and Cross of the Legion of Honour. He is a trusted ally in Julien's plans. ### [A Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xii-a-journey) Julien's friend, a timber merchant, who offers him a partnership and shows him his accounts. ### [Chapter XIII. The Open Work Stockings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xiii-the-open-work-stockings) Mentioned as having shared confidences with Julien about his own love affairs, which influences Julien's thinking about women and romance. ### [Chapter XIV. The English Scissors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xiv-the-english-scissors) His offer of a business partnership unsettles Julien, prompting him to reconsider his path. ### [Chapter XVII. The First Deputy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xvii-the-first-deputy) Sends Julien books that he reads at night, contributing to his education. ### [Sorrows Of An Official](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxiii-sorrows-of-an-official) Mentioned as a potential source of funds for Julien's journey. ### [A Capital](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxiv-a-capital) Mentioned as the friend from whom Julien obtained a civilian suit. ### [Chapter XXIX. The First Promotion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxix-the-first-promotion) Sends a stag and a boar to the seminary as a gift, which helps elevate Julien's status. ### [Chapter XLV. Is It A Plot?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlv-is-it-a-plot) Julien writes to Fouqué, his friend, sending a sealed manuscript to be published in case of an accident, indicating his distrust and preparation for the worst. ### [Chapter XLVI. One O’Clock In The Morning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xlvi-one-o-clock-in-the-morning) Julien considers writing a countermanding letter to him, but the thought is interrupted by the hour. ### [A Turret](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxvii-a-turret) Julien's devoted friend, who offers to sell all his possessions to bribe the gaoler for Julien's escape, demonstrating his selfless loyalty. ### [The Intrigue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxix-the-intrigue) Devoted to Julien, he is willing to sacrifice his fortune but is dumbfounded by Mathilde's extravagant spending and changeable nature. ### [Chapter LXX. Tranquility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxx-tranquility) Visits Julien and informs him of Madame de Rênal's recovery, though Julien avoids discussing her. ### [Chapter LXXI. The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxi-the-trial) Julien's friend, present in the town for the trial, affected by the general agitation. ### [CHAPTER LXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxiv) A faithful friend who visits Julien in prison, but is asked to leave so Julien can be alone. ### [CHAPTER LXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxv) Julien's loyal friend, he helps with final arrangements, including taking Mathilde and Madame de Rênal away and securing Julien's burial place. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/fouque - 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