# Mathilde de la Mole — The Red and the Black character guide > Mathilde de la Mole in The Red and the Black by Stendhal. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Mademoiselle Mathilde, Mathilde, Mademoiselle, the sublime Mathilde, the haughty Mathilde **First appearance:** 0034-chapter-xxxiv-the-h-tel-de-la-mole ## Snapshot 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. ## Who they are 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. ## Relationships ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _romantic_ A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status. ### [M. de Croisenois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/m_de_croisenois) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _family_ A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices. ### [Madame de Rênal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/madame_de_renal) _rivalry_ Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _romantic_ A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status. ### [Julien Sorel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/julien_sorel) _romantic_ A volatile, pride-driven romance marked by manipulation, obsession, and mutual fascination with social status. ### [M. de Croisenois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/m_de_croisenois) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _family_ A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices. ### [Madame de Rênal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/madame_de_renal) _rivalry_ Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions. ### [Madame de Rênal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/madame_de_renal) _rivalry_ Rivals for Julien's affection, with mutual jealousy and resentment defining their interactions. ### [M. de Croisenois](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/m_de_croisenois) _romantic_ A suitor of noble birth, engaged to Mathilde but ultimately rejected in favor of Julien. ### [Marquis de la Mole](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/marquis_de_la_mole) _family_ A proud father who indulges his daughter's whims but is deeply concerned about her unconventional choices. ## In the story ### [Chapter XXXII. Entry Into Society](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxii-entry-into-society) First seen at dinner, noted for her beautiful but cold eyes. ### [The First Steps](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxiii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-xxxiv-the-h-tel-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-liv-strasbourg) Julien's obsession; her rejection drives his despair and actions. ### [Chapter LV. The Ministry Of Virtue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lv-the-ministry-of-virtue) Blushes upon seeing Julien at dinner, showing her continued interest despite his apparent coldness. ### [Chapter LVI. Moral Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lviii-manon-lescaut) Struggles to control her thoughts about Julien, impressed by his falseness and Machiavellianism. ### [Chapter LIX. Ennui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxv-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxix-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxx-tranquility) Actively working to save Julien by influencing the jury selection and corresponding with influential figures. ### [Chapter LXXI. The Trial](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxi-the-trial) Works behind the scenes to secure Julien's acquittal, using her influence and a bishop's letter. ### [CHAPTER LXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxii-1) Visits Julien in prison, alternating between tenderness and fury, but fails to persuade him to appeal. ### [CHAPTER LXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxiii) Mentioned as Julien's wife but not his mistress; her absence is noted in the chapter. ### [CHAPTER LXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/chapters/chapter-lxxv) Consumed by jealousy over Madame de Rênal's visits, she makes daily scenes and learns of the death of M. de Croisenois. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_red_and_the_black_br/characters/mathilde_de_la_mole - 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