The Red and the Black · Character

Mathilde de la Mole

A marquis's daughter who finds her century tedious until she decides that loving a peasant's son is the one heroic role left to play.

major

Also known as Mademoiselle Mathilde, Mathilde, Mademoiselle, the sublime Mathilde, the haughty Mathilde

First appearance: Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole

As a major figure in The Red and the Black, Mathilde de la Mole is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

First seen at dinner, noted for her beautiful but cold eyes.

In the storyChapter XXXII. Entry Into SocietyOpen this moment free

See Mathilde de la Mole in Chapter XXXII. Entry Into Society Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Mathilde is brilliant, restless, and raised on the exploits of her ancestors, so she measures her own life against a standard no ordinary affair can meet. Her passion for Julien is genuine but theatrical — she dreams of kneeling before the king's carriage, of sacrifices that will astonish the public. Julien, exhausted by heroism, finds himself unmoved by devotion that requires an audience, and the mismatch between what each wants is the engine of their catastrophe.

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of Mathilde de la Mole sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Mathilde de la Mole in Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole

Character Web

47 connections

A slice of how Mathilde de la Mole sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Romantic
Other

Character groups

Julien's Parisian circle
Historical and minor figures
Protagonist

+42 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…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Julien Sorel
romantic · ambivalent
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual… How this plays out →
M. de Croisenois
romantic · negative
Marquis de la Mole
family · ambivalent
Madame de Rênal
rivalry · negative
Julien Sorel
romantic · ambivalent
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual… How this plays out →
Julien Sorel
romantic · ambivalent
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual… How this plays out →
M. de Croisenois
romantic · negative
Marquis de la Mole
family · ambivalent
Madame de Rênal
rivalry · negative
Madame de Rênal
rivalry · negative
M. de Croisenois
romantic · negative
Marquis de la Mole
family · ambivalent

Julien Sorel
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status.
M. de Croisenois
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Marquis de la Mole
A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices.
Madame de Rênal
Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions.
Julien Sorel
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status.
Julien Sorel
A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status.
M. de Croisenois
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Marquis de la Mole
A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices.
Madame de Rênal
Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions.
Madame de Rênal
Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions.
M. de Croisenois
A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien.
Marquis de la Mole
A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices.

Relationship notes

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

See Mathilde de la Mole in Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole

In the story

Mathilde de la Mole appears across 38 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter XXXII. Entry Into Society
First seen at dinner, noted for her beautiful but cold eyes.
The First Steps
Annoyed to find Julien in the library, later laughs at his riding mishap and shows curiosity about him.
Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole
Shows initial interest in Julien, listens to his conversation with the abbé, and begins to include him in her social circle, mocking the bores.
Chapter XXXV. Sensibility And A Great Pious Lady
Julien vows never to speak to her after committing breaches of social etiquette; their relations are cool.
Chapter XXXVIII. What Is The Decoration Which Confers Distinction?
Bored with her aristocratic suitors, she is intrigued by Julien's seriousness and engages him in conversation, showing her intellectual vanity.
Chapter XXXIX. The Ball
Observes Julien's distraction and passion, feels slighted by his indifference, and becomes increasingly intrigued by his unconventional thoughts.
Chapter XL. Queen Marguerite
Shares her enthusiasm for the heroic age of the League, walks with Julien in the garden, and shows him unusual attention and sweetness.
Chapter XLI. A Young Girl’s Dominion
Dominates the salon with her wit, becomes bored with her suitors, and declares her love for Julien.
Chapter XLII. Is He A Danton?
Engrossed in her decision to love Julien, she defends him against aristocratic mockery and compares their love to that of Marguerite de Valois and Boniface de la Mole.
Chapter XLIII. A Plot
Shows signs of agitation and interest in Julien, but he interprets her behavior as a possible mystification. She avoids social events and displays sharp wit toward her aristocratic suitors.
Chapter XLIV. A Young Girl’s Thoughts
Torn between her pride and her newfound passion for Julien, she decides to declare her love and arranges a secret meeting.
Chapter XLV. Is It A Plot?
Mathilde is the instigator of the risky plan, having invited Julien to her room. Julien observes her pale and serious demeanor at dinner, which he interprets as a sign of her determination.
Chapter XLVI. One O’Clock In The Morning
Experiences shame and remorse after the assignation; speaks with frigid politeness; wonders if she is truly in love.
Chapter XLVII. An Old Sword
Cold and cruel after their affair, she is thrilled by the threat of violence, which rekindles her fascination.
Chapter XLVIII. Cruel Moments
Feels exhilarated after the sword incident, romanticizes Julien's passion, and later takes cruel pleasure in confessing her past loves, only to despise him when he declares his love.
Chapter XLIX. The Opera Bouffe
Torn between remorse and adoration, she submits to Julien as her master and draws his portrait unconsciously.
Chapter L. The Japanese Vase
Breaks with Julien in the library, feels triumphant pride, but is disturbed by Julien's calm reaction to the vase incident.
Chapter LIV. Strasbourg
Julien's obsession; her rejection drives his despair and actions.
Chapter LV. The Ministry Of Virtue
Blushes upon seeing Julien at dinner, showing her continued interest despite his apparent coldness.
Chapter LVI. Moral Love
Observes Julien's actions with growing interest and irritation. She is annoyed by his attention to Madame de Fervaques and resolves to stop listening to him, but finds it difficult.
Chapter LVII. The Finest Places In The Church
Julien's obsession; he tries to catch glimpses of her and impress her with his diction.
Chapter LVIII. Manon Lescaut
Struggles to control her thoughts about Julien, impressed by his falseness and Machiavellianism.
Chapter LIX. Ennui
Consumed by jealousy and pride, she confronts Julien, then collapses in despair, kneeling before him and confessing her need for his love.
Chapter LX. A Box At The Bouffes
Overwhelmed by jealousy and love, she confronts Julien, breaking down in tears and revealing her vulnerability, a departure from her usual pride.
Chapter LXI. Frighten Her
Weeps and demands guarantees, offers to elope to London, and is moved to tears by Julien's confession of lying.
Chapter LXII. The Tiger
Falls deeply in love for the first time, becomes haughty with others, and joyfully announces her pregnancy. She insists on confessing to her father, showing her pride and sense of honor.
Chapter LXIII. The Hell Of Weakness
Desperate and resolute, insists on marrying Julien and becoming Madame Sorel, threatens public mourning if he dies, and firmly opposes her father's prudent plans.
Chapter LXIV. A Man Of Intellect
Insists on a public marriage to secure her status, and her love for Julien intensifies into a near obsession with his merit.
A Storm
Desperate and in love, she rushes to Julien with her father's letter, revealing the crisis and her unwavering commitment.
Chapter LXVI. Sad Details
Julien writes to her about his revenge and impending death, though he rarely thinks of her now.
Chapter LXVIII. A Powerful Man
Disguised as Madame Michelet, she visits Julien, declares her love, and begins a determined campaign to save him, even seeking out the powerful Abbé de Frilair.
The Intrigue
Consumed by a heroic passion, she plans extravagant and dangerous schemes to save Julien, including contacting Madame de Fervaques and considering suicide.
Chapter LXX. Tranquility
Actively working to save Julien by influencing the jury selection and corresponding with influential figures.
Chapter LXXI. The Trial
Works behind the scenes to secure Julien's acquittal, using her influence and a bishop's letter.
CHAPTER LXXII
Visits Julien in prison, alternating between tenderness and fury, but fails to persuade him to appeal.
CHAPTER LXXIII
Mentioned as Julien's wife but not his mistress; her absence is noted in the chapter.
CHAPTER LXXIV
Visits Julien in prison, but her news and presence only irritate him. She is jealous of Madame de Rênal and weeps at Julien's coldness.
CHAPTER LXXV
Consumed by jealousy over Madame de Rênal's visits, she makes daily scenes and learns of the death of M. de Croisenois.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Mathilde de la Mole unlock in the free preview.

See Mathilde de la Mole in Chapter XXXIV. The Hôtel De La Mole

See Mathilde de la Mole in Chapter XXXII. Entry Into Society