M. de RÃªnal, the mayor of the provincial town VerriÃ¨res, hires Julien Sorel to be his children's tutor. Julien is only a carpenter's son, but dreams of following in the footsteps of his hero,

The Red and the Black

M. de RÃªnal, the mayor of the provincial town VerriÃ¨res, hires Julien Sorel to be his children's tutor. Julien is only a carpenter's son, but dreams of following in the footsteps of his hero, Napoleon. However, in Julien's time, men gain power in the Church and not in the army. Even though he is training to become a priest, Julien decides to seduce the mayor's wife, Mme. de RÃªnal, because he thinks that it is his duty. They become lovers, but M. Valenod, the mayor's political adversary, finds out about the affair and begins to spread rumors. M. de RÃªnal is profoundly embarrassed, but his wife convinces him that the rumors are false. M. ChÃ©lan, the town priest and Julien's mentor, sends him to the BesanÃ§on seminary to avoid any further scandal.

The Red and the Black