Madame Bovary

Madame Bovary
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First edition cover
Author	Gustave Flaubert
Language	French
Publisher	Michel Lévy Frères
ISBN	N/A
Pages	432 (first edition)

Madame Bovary, subtitled Mœurs de province ("Provincial Ways"), is a novel by Gustave Flaubert, published in 1857. The novel is considered one of the most influential works of literary realism and is a seminal text in the canon of French literature.

Plot Summary

The novel follows the life of Emma Bovary, a doctor's wife, who has adulterous affairs and lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life. Emma's dissatisfaction with her marriage to Charles Bovary, a simple and kind-hearted country doctor, leads her to seek excitement and fulfillment in romantic fantasies and extramarital relationships.

Emma's affairs with Rodolphe Boulanger and Léon Dupuis ultimately lead to her financial ruin and emotional despair. Her inability to reconcile her dreams with reality results in her tragic downfall. The novel ends with Emma's suicide by arsenic poisoning and the subsequent ruin of her husband, Charles.

Themes

Madame Bovary explores themes of romanticism versus realism, the constraints of social class, and the pursuit of happiness. Flaubert's meticulous attention to detail and his use of free indirect discourse allow readers to delve deeply into Emma's psyche, revealing her inner conflicts and desires.

Romanticism vs. Realism

Emma Bovary's character embodies the conflict between romantic ideals and the harsh realities of life. Her constant yearning for a more passionate and luxurious existence contrasts sharply with the mundane and predictable life she leads.

Social Class

The novel also critiques the rigid social structures of 19th-century France. Emma's aspirations to rise above her social station and her disdain for her provincial surroundings highlight the limitations imposed by class distinctions.

Pursuit of Happiness

Emma's relentless pursuit of happiness and fulfillment leads her to make choices that ultimately result in her downfall. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked desires and the illusion of happiness.

Literary Significance

Madame Bovary is renowned for its pioneering use of free indirect discourse, a narrative technique that allows the narrator to slip in and out of a character's consciousness. This technique provides a nuanced portrayal of Emma's inner life and has influenced countless writers.

Flaubert's novel was initially met with controversy and was the subject of a public trial for obscenity. However, it was ultimately acquitted, and the novel's publication marked a turning point in the acceptance of realism in literature.

Adaptations

Madame Bovary has been adapted into numerous films, television series, and stage productions. Notable adaptations include the 1949 film directed by Vincente Minnelli and the 1991 film directed by Claude Chabrol.

Also see

• Gustave Flaubert
• Literary realism
• French literature
• Romanticism
• Free indirect discourse