Published in 1830, Scarlet and Black (Le Rouge et Le Noir) tells the story of a provincial young man's attempts to socially rise beyond his modest upbringing with a combination of talent and hard work, deception and hypocrisy â€" yet who ultimately allows his passions to betray him.

In Scarlet and Black, Stendhal paints a sweeping portrait of early nineteenth-century France — its social classes, professions, politics, and manners â€" in Paris and the provinces. The novel's characters represent virtually every level of intelligence and sensibility, in a plot involving passion, intrigue, satire, and last-minute reversals. The novel is held together by Julien Sorel, whose life provides its structure. Julien leaves his provincial home to become a tutor, strives to raise himself professionally and socially, becomes embroiled in a series of romantic escapades, and finally faces a capital trial.