The Red and the Black · Character

M. de Croisenois

The polished young marquis everyone expects Mathilde de la Mole to marry, he embodies the elegant, riskless courage she finds increasingly hollow.

supporting

Also known as de Croisenois, Croisenois, the Croisenois, M. Croisenois, poor Croisenois

First appearance: chapter xxxiv the h tel de la mole

As a supporting figure in The Red and the Black, M. de Croisenois is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

A suitor of Mathilde, he tries to approach her at the ball but is dismissed by her as flat and boring.

In the storyChapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?Open this moment free

Croisenois belongs to the gilded circle of Caylus, de Luz, and de la Mole heirs whose manners are flawless and whose souls Mathilde suspects of being empty. He is her sanctioned suitor, which makes him both a rival to Julien and a mirror held up to an aristocracy that has traded hazard for epigrams. His very perfection sharpens Mathilde's contempt for a class that duels by rulebook and dies by etiquette, and it raises the stakes of her dangerous attraction to a peasant's son.

See M. de Croisenois in Chapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?Book page

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Character Web

28 connections

A slice of how M. de Croisenois sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Rivalry
Other

Character groups

Julien's Parisian circle
Historical and minor figures
Protagonist

+23 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

Mathilde’s pride—her defining trait—shatters here as she openly begs Julien for reassurance, weeping and admit…

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Relationships

Mathilde de la Mole
romantic · negative
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. How this plays out →
Julien Sorel
rivalry · negative
Mathilde de la Mole
romantic · negative
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. How this plays out →
Julien Sorel
rivalry · negative
Mathilde de la Mole
romantic · negative
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. How this plays out →
Julien Sorel
rivalry · negative

Mathilde de la Mole
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Julien Sorel
Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises.
Mathilde de la Mole
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Julien Sorel
Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises.
Mathilde de la Mole
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Julien Sorel
Competitors for Mathilde's hand, with Croisenois representing the aristocratic establishment Julien despises.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See M. de Croisenois in chapter xxxiv the h tel de la mole

In the story

M. de Croisenois appears across 15 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?
A suitor of Mathilde, he tries to approach her at the ball but is dismissed by her as flat and boring.
Chapter XLI. A Young Girl’s Dominion
One of Mathilde's suitors, whose prudent return of a letter leads to her coldness.
Chapter XLII. Is He A Danton?
One of the young nobles who criticizes Julien and is provoked by Mathilde's praise of him.
Chapter XLIII. A Plot
The young nobleman who is the target of Mathilde's jests, and whom Julien sees as a rival.
Chapter XLIV. A Young Girl’s Thoughts
Mentioned as a suitor whose potential marriage to Mathilde would be broken off if her letters were discovered.
Chapter XLV. Is It A Plot?
Julien thinks of Croisenois as a rival, a charming young man of noble birth and fortune, whom he might triumph over if he succeeds.
Chapter XLVII. An Old Sword
Mentioned as a rival; Julien feels like embracing him in his misery.
Chapter XLVIII. Cruel Moments
Referenced as another of Mathilde's past suitors, contributing to Julien's anguish.
Chapter L. The Japanese Vase
Present in the salon, one of Mathilde's suitors, and a target of Julien's critical observations.
Chapter LVI. Moral Love
Appears overwhelmed by Mathilde's new caprice, his palpable grief providing some solace to Julien.
Chapter LVIII. Manon Lescaut
Mathilde's intended; he calls twice a day at the Hôtel de la Mole, fueling Julien's jealousy.
Chapter LXII. The Tiger
Mentioned as one of the suitors Mathilde previously considered, but now treats with polite but provocative disdain.
Chapter LXVIII. A Powerful Man
Mentioned by Julien as the man he intends for Mathilde to marry after his death.
The Intrigue
Julien advises Mathilde to marry him after his death, suggesting his name and her fortune would ensure his success.
CHAPTER LXXV
Dies in a duel with M. de Thaler after defending Mathilde's honor, an event that affects Julien deeply.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for M. de Croisenois unlock in the free preview.

See M. de Croisenois in chapter xxxiv the h tel de la mole

See M. de Croisenois in Chapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?