- Madame Bovary
- Published by: N/A
- Level: Advanced
- First Published in: 1857
One of the most important French novels, both poignant and restless.
Madame Bovary is one of the most important French novels, both poignant and restless. Many shed tears while reading it back in 1857.
One could say Emma Bovary is one of the most iconic characters ever imagined. If you were to ask a French person what she’s like, he or she will probably tell you that Emma is an object of both sympathy and scorn. The novel tells the life story and excesses of its protagonist, who is absolutely fascinated by luxury and gratification, and has a clear passion for obtaining the finer things in life.
"One of the most important French novels, both poignant and restless."
The first chapter focuses on the childhood and students days of Charles Bovary, Emma’s future husband. Flaubert depicts an unflattering portrait of Charles. Mocked by his professors and his classmates, when his professor asks him to say his name in front of class, he stutters: “Charbovari.” The very shy Charles never really finds a place in life, or if so, only with difficulty. He turns out to be a slightly awkward, clumsy man, though he adores his wife.
However, Emma has other plans for herself, as she realizes that Charles is not the love of her life. She dreamt about luxury and romanticism when she was younger, and therefore, her husband’s blandness is an excuse for Emma to live a life of excess. She keeps saying “Charles et ma vie sont mediocre,” that is to say, “Charles and my life are mediocre.” Alongside her ambitions to spend money, she hides an adulterous lifestyle, and even her motherhood won’t keep her from her desires.
Her husband tries to fill the emptiness Emma feels within herself, but in vain. Emma, who has a romanticized and idealized view of her lovers and of how her life should be, alternates between joy and disappointment. She thinks to herself, what more can one want in life than love and luxury?
"Today, there is a new concept named after Emma Bovary, 'le bovarysme.' It describes a state where a melancholic person, who finds no pleasure in life and is profoundly bored, seeks comfort in an imaginary world."
Emma is challenged by her many contradictions. One of her lovers grows bored of her as their relationship develops, and when the lover leaves her, Emma cannot stand it. In a state of profound shock, she falls badly ill, and indeed can hardly walk and remains bedbound for days. Towards the middle of the book, thoroughly depressed, she loses interest in her own life and in everything in general.
Beautiful and ambitious, Emma will pay the price for her covetousness and her boundless romanticism. Next to the protagonist, we accompany her through her most intense joys and her deepest disappointments. It is interesting to see the impact the book had on French literature, as today there is a new concept named after Emma Bovary, “le bovarysme.” It describes a state where a melancholic person, who finds no pleasure in life and is profoundly bored, seeks comfort in an imaginary world.