Thought example essay topic

308 words
The thought kept occurring to me throughout the book, that when Julien had any minor success in his life, it was in spite of himself. He tries hard to conform to the model he has selected for himself in a particular situation, but he is so bad at keeping up his act, that eventually, he falters and reveals his true nature and weakness. It is in these moments of weakness that his true humanity shows through benefiting him far more than all of his insincere efforts. Julien Sorel only gets something after failing miserably at trying desperately to get it. An example of this is the acquisition of Mme. De Renal as his lover. He puts great thought into how and when he will go to her.

He thinks that the reason he is going to her is that he must possess her and make her a conquest, but he is as a boy trying to run in his father shoes. He is awkward and clumsy in his determination to conform to the model he has chosen for himself, that of a cunning, confident, seductive man of the world. When he finds himself utterly unable to carry off his facade, having relied on confidence and sophistication that are not found within him, and filled with confusion and panic, he relents and abandons himself to her as a piteous, sobbing child. Julien's failure to mould himself into a cad reveals the weakness and vulnerability of his true character. It is this vulnerability, and na " ivet'e that wins over the heart of the lady of the house, Mme. De Renal, and gains Julien the conquest he sought. Of course, it is he who has been conquered, but his pride does not allow him to see this un-heroic reality.