📕The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal.

I read The Charterhouse of Parma by Stendhal.

Why was the story immersive?

Stendhal’s mastery. The story flows. The author has a tremendous capacity to trigger a wide range of emotions effortlessly. Reading the text triggers an unique feeling; the feeling you get only when you read books written by great authors.

What did I learn from this book?

This book didn’t necessarily teach me something, but rather made me question the things I already know. This book made me question my approach to life. It made me wonder if I am taking enough risks. It made me asses the things I value. All of this through making me question the protagonist’s decisions; would I (or could I) have acted similarly? It made me feel… .

Expressions that struck a chord

• “She’ll think I’m lacking in love for her, whereas it’s love that is lacking in me.”
• “The noble language of its architecture left him unmoved.”
• “It is within my power to tell you several things before the night has been altogether replaced by the day.”
• “But that passport bears in so many letters a name destined for a prison.”

New words

I wrote down some of the words that I didn’t know. I append them below.

1. lofty = of imposing height.
2. sangfroid = composure or coolness shown in danger or under trying circumstances.
3. unassailable = unable to be attacked, questioned, or defeated.
4. infatuated = possessed with an intense but short-lived passion or admiration for someone.
5. dishevelled = (of a person’s hair, clothes, or appearance) untidy; disordered.
6. bewitch = enchant and delight (someone).
7. upbraid = find fault with (someone); scold.
8. reprimand = a formal expression of disapproval.
9. deference = polite submission and respect.
10. complexion = the general aspect or character of something.
11. pique = arouse (interest or curiosity) OR feel irritated or resentful.
12. modicum = a small quantity of a particular thing, especially something desirable or valuable.
13. divine = discover (something) by guesswork or intuition OR have supernatural or magical insight into (future events).
14. abhor = regard with disgust and hatred.
15. muddle = bring into a disordered or confusing state.
16. stuffy = (of a place) lacking fresh air or ventilation OR (of a person) not receptive to new or unusual ideas; conventional and narrow-minded.
17. malevolent = having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
18. throes = intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change.
19. hanker = feel a strong desire for or to do something.
20. gauche = unsophisticated and socially awkward.
21. quarrel = have a heated argument or disagreement.
22. troupe = a group of dancers, actors, or other entertainers who tour to different venues.
23. métier = a profession or occupation.
24. caprice = a sudden and unaccountable change of mood or behaviour.
25. proffer = hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance.
26. whim = a sudden desire or change of mind, especially one that is unusual or unexplained.
27. heed = pay attention to; take notice of.
28. nuptial = a wedding.
29. ashore = to or on the shore or land from the direction of the sea.
30. tilbury = a light open two-wheeled carriage.
31. foliage = plant leaves collectively.
32. clump = a small group of trees or plants growing closely together.
33. reverie = a state of being pleasantly lost in one’s thoughts; a daydream.
34. dithyramb = a wild choral hymn of ancient Greece, especially one dedicated to Dionysus.
35. ignominious = deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.
36. lacklustre = lacking in vitality, force, or conviction; uninspired or uninspiring.
37. omen = an event regarded as a portent of good or evil.
38. moat = a deep, wide ditch surrounding a castle, fort, or town typically filled with water and intended as a defence against attack.
39. exiguous = very small in size or amount.
40. reproach = express to (someone) one’s disapproval of or disappointment in their actions.
41. pelisse = a woman’s ankle-length cloak with armholes or sleeves.
42. gaol = jail.
43. taint = contaminate or pollute (something).
44. stealth = cautious and surreptitious action or movement.
45. devolve = transfer or delegate (power) to a lower level, especially from central government to local or regional administration.
46. disquisition = a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject.
47. exalted = (of a person or their rank or status) at a high or powerful level OR in a state of extreme happiness.
48. bewilderment = a feeling of being perplexed and confused.
49. unalloyed = (chiefly of emotions) complete and unreserved.
50. beneficent = doing or producing good.
51. constancy = the quality of being faithful and dependable.
52. profusion = an abundance or large quantity of something.
53. plash = a splashing sound OR a pool or puddle.
54. besieged = (of a place) surrounded by armed forces aiming to capture it or force surrender.
55. injunction = an authoritative warning or order.
56. penury = the state of being very poor; extreme poverty.
57. obol = an ancient Greek coin worth one sixth of a drachma.
58. churn = (with reference to liquid) move or cause to move about vigorously.
59. shawl = a piece of fabric worn by women over the shoulders or head or wrapped round a baby.
60. hovel = a small squalid or simply constructed dwelling.
61. compunction = a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad.
62. bishopric = the office or rank of a bishop.
63. pathos = a quality that evokes pity or sadness.
64. homily = a religious discourse which is intended primarily for spiritual edification rather than doctrinal instruction.
65. lark = a small ground-dwelling songbird with elongated hind claws and a song that is delivered on the wing, typically crested and with brown streaky plumage.
66. decrepit = worn out or ruined because of age or neglect OR (of a person) elderly and infirm.
67. scabbard = a sheath for the blade of a sword or dagger, typically made of leather or metal.
68. pommel = a rounded knob on the end of the handle of a sword, dagger, or old-fashioned gun.
69. laurel = any of a number of shrubs and other plants with dark green glossy leaves.
70. wreath = an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring and used for decoration or for laying on a grave.
71. frantic = distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion.
72. alacrity = brisk and cheerful readiness.
73. flax = a blue-flowered herbaceous plant that is cultivated for its seed (linseed) and for textile fibre made from its stalks.
74. effusive = marked by the expression of great or excessive emotion or enthusiasm.
75. simony = the buying or selling of a church office or ecclesiastical preferment.
76. gruff = rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect.
77. riff-raff = disreputable or undesirable people.
78. underling = a person lower in status or rank.
79. turpitude = depraved or wicked behaviour or character.
80. venal = showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery; corrupt.
81. diocese = a district under the pastoral care of a bishop in the Christian Church.
82. bagatelle = a thing regarded as too unimportant or easy to be worth much consideration.
83. alms = (in historical contexts) money or food given to poor people.
84. feign = pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury).
85. acrimony = bitterness or ill feeling.
86. disgruntled = angry or dissatisfied.
87. barouche = a four-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a collapsible hood over the rear half, a seat in front for the driver, and seats facing each other for the passengers.
88. urchin = a young child who is poorly or raggedly dressed.
89. guffaw = a loud and hearty laugh.
90. shrewd = having or showing sharp powers of judgement; astute.
91. cajolery = coaxing or flattery intended to persuade someone to do something.
92. boor = a rough and bad-mannered person.
93. skulduggery = underhand, unscrupulous, or dishonest behaviour or activities.
94. gaily = in a cheerful or light-hearted way.
95. rapture = a feeling of intense pleasure or joy.
96. dove = a stocky bird with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice, feeding on seeds or fruit. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons, but many kinds have been given both names OR a person who advocates peaceful or conciliatory policies, especially in foreign affairs.
97. inexorable = impossible to stop or prevent.
98. avowal = an open statement of affirmation; frank acknowledgment or admission.
99. entreaty = an earnest or humble request.
100. obstinate = stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so OR (of an unwelcome situation) very difficult to change or overcome.
101. incessant = (of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption.
102. mope = feel dejected and apathetic.
103. spurn = reject with disdain or contempt.
104. lapse = (of a right, privilege, or agreement) become invalid because it is not used, claimed, or renewed; expire OR pass gradually into (an inferior state or condition).
105. tantamount = equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as.
106. grandiloquent = pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress.
107. punctilitious = showing great attention to detail or correct behaviour.
108. pusillanimity = lack of courage or determination; timidity.
109. bamboozle = cheat or fool.
110. remonstration = expressing earnest opposition or protest.
111. factotum = an employee who does all kinds of work.
112. intersperse = scatter among or between other things; place here and there OR diversify (a thing or things) with other things at intervals.
113. probity = the quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency.
114. propitious = giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable.
115. magnanimous = generous or forgiving, especially towards a rival or less powerful person.
116. drudgery = hard menial or dull work.
117. threadbare = (of cloth, clothing, or soft furnishings) becoming thin and tattered with age OR (of a person, building, or room) poor or shabby in appearance OR (of an argument, excuse, idea, etc.) used so often that it is no longer effective.