# M. Valenod — The Red and the Black character guide

> M. Valenod in The Red and the Black by Stendhal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Valenod, M. de Valenod, M. le Valenod, the Valenod

**First appearance:** 0003-chapter-iii-the-poor-fund

## Who they are

The rich director of the Verrières poorhouse, a loud, florid provincial climber who buys Norman horses and silences paupers while scheming to outshine the mayor.

## Relationships

### [Madame de Rênal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/madame_de_renal)

_rivalry_

A social and political rival, with Valenod coveting her position and husband's influence.

### [Madame de Rênal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/madame_de_renal)

_rivalry_

A social and political rival, with Valenod coveting her position and husband's influence.

## In the story

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

Director of the workhouse, mentioned as sharing the mayor's opinion of the promenade.

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

The rich director of the workhouse, who joins M. de Rênal in reproaching the curé and is noted for his coarse and boisterous nature.

### [Chapter IV. A Father And A Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-iv-a-father-and-a-son)

Mentioned as a potential rival for Julien's services.

### [Chapter VI. Ennui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-vi-ennui)

Visits during Julien's recitation, contributing to the scene's impact.

### [Chapter VII. The Elective Affinities](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-vii-the-elective-affinities)

The director of the poorhouse, who is jealous of Julien and publicly criticizes his foppish appearance. He is also seen as corrupt, profiting from the poor fund.

### [Chapter XVII. The First Deputy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xvii-the-first-deputy)

Mentioned as a rival in the local political intrigue and as a participant in the secret society meetings.

### [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)

Lends one of his horses to Julien for the guard of honour, despite hating him.

### [Chapter XIX. Thinking Produces Suffering](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xix-thinking-produces-suffering)

Learns of Madame de Rênal's affair with Julien, mortifying his pride and intensifying his jealousy.

### [Chapter XX. Anonymous Letters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xx-anonymous-letters)

Accused by Madame de Rênal of being the author of the anonymous letter; she plans to make her husband believe this.

### [Chapter XXI. Dialogue With A Master](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxi-dialogue-with-a-master)

Mentioned as a potential new employer for Julien and as having had a flirtation with Madame de Rênal, which fuels M. de Rênal's jealousy.

### [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 director of the workhouse who offers Julien a higher salary and is seen as a coarse, ambitious rival to M. de Rênal.

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

Implied as the source of the anonymous letter and the rival offering Julien a position.

### [Chapter LXXI. The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxi-the-trial)

A juror, whose insolent look hardens Julien's resolve; he is a symbol of the class Julien despises.

## Links

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