Julien Sorel
Every other character exists in relation to and a reaction against Julien Sorel. He is a social misfit and politically out of step; a man with Napoleonic complex living in a post-Waterloo society. Ambition will bring him to the brink of disaster, but narcissism will be the engine of his doom.
Monsieur de Croisenois
Aristocratic heir to a dukedom. He loves Mademoiselle de la Mole, but she’s preoccupied with Julien. Will come to a tragic end involving honor as well as the lack thereof.
Mathilde de la Mole
Born to class and esteem, her birthright is to marry nobility, but ultimately she fails to fulfill expectations. Although she is drawn to Julien almost as if by dark magic, she refuses to marry and rejects his offers. Once she becomes pregnant, her father will not allow marriage to a rake like Julien. Will wind up grieving as she carries the head of her beloved in her hands.
Pirard
Once Julien goes into exile on the heels of yet another illicit romantic entanglement, he meets the director of a seminar in Besancon. Pirard is something of an outsider and misfit himself: a Jansenist among Jesuits. After providing an expansive emotional shelter for Julien in his time of need, Pirard is forced to leave the seminary and becomes the person who recommends Julien as private secretary to Marquis de la Mole.
Madame de Rênal
The woman who is married to the mayor of Verrières has quite the wild ride after meeting Julien. First she becomes his lover. Then she confesses and publicly denounces Julien as a libertine. Then she takes a bullet from Julien when he’s flies into a fit of rage. Later she works hard but in vain to save him from appointment with the guillotine.
