The Critical Analysis of Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Gustave Flaubert and Madame Bovary

Gustave Flaubert wrote a novel titled Madame Bovary. Emma Rouault, who married Charles Monsieur Bovary, is the primary character. Emma was extremely easygoing and obedient at first, but as time goes on, she starts to feel uneasy and disturbed. She develops a lack of concern for her spouse and her own home, according to the book. (Flaubert 38). The opulent lifestyle does not benefit her, and Madame Bovary falls into a deep depression after losing her husband’s respect and affection.

Emma’s Devotion and Resilience

Despite her difficulties, Madame Bovary is depicted as a devoted wife and daughter. The couple (Emma and Monsieur) met while she was working very hard in Les Bertaux, to take care of the sick father and because of the same love and confidence; she was able to attract the attention of Monsieur who had already married. Because of her resilience, Monsieur agrees to stay with her even after the father had already recovered. The communication between the two grew and became more intense soon after the Madame Bovary had finished taking care of the dad. Indeed, the number of nights spent together increased from twice per week to regularly. Emma moved in and started living with Monsieur in Tostes soon after the death of Monsieur’s wife.

The Growing Discontent of Madame Bovary

After the marriage, life starts very well, and Madame Bovary indeed finds happiness in her house. Unfortunately, the joy does not last long with the lady slowly becoming discontent and developing a sense of inward uneasiness. Emma thought that the husband was becoming more boring, and the marriage life was now becoming something that she had not anticipated. Charles did not take anything seriously, and instead took things for granted. Even though Emma ran the house chores, as usual, she was inwardly unhappy and consistently fantasized how it would be like if she got another marriage. Things even grow worse after Madame Bovary is invited to La Vaubyessard where she experiences the lifestyle she had always wanted.

The Decline of Madame Bovary

Madame Bovary grows to dislike the husband, home and always waits for an event to break the monotony (Flaubert 148). Because she is now unable to achieve every wish, she becomes angry, disappointed, careless hard to please and rebellious. On the other hand, Charles does not understand the source of problems even as the life of his wife deteriorates. Emma is later diagnosed with a nervous disorder which required a change of residential area. The husband then realized that she was also pregnant.

The Complexity of Madame Bovary

The novel presents a simple but yet very complex character by the name Madame Bovary. Her needs (love, cherish, and care) are those that every other woman would demand from the husband, however; she is also complicated when it comes to a way of expressing the needs. When she is upset, she does not tell it straight, but instead, tries to cover up the feelings, with the hope that someone will be able to say what is in her mind. Madame Bovary gets angry when she is not happy about something, and the anger even intensifies when she realizes that she has to express herself. As a result, those close to her are left confused and angry because of the feeling that she is pretending or merely unpleased (Flaubert 281).

The Attention to Detail and Originality

The text outlines the author’s ability and determination to assign each object its exact look, smell, feel and taste. The slow advancement of Madame Bovary from the point of resilience, love, cares for the father and the family to the moments of desperation, despair, and depression. The book also shows the ability of Flaubert to pay attention to detail. In her analysis, Lydia Davis describes the work like that which has completely changed the way novels ought to be written. Each sentence in the book shows that the text is an original thought.

Emma Bovary as a Controversial Character

The story of Emma is a borrowing from real-life-cautionary tales: suicide and adultery of Delphine Delamare, and the Louise Pradier’s heedless extravagance. Even though the plot was a simple equation, the demands that the author has placed on the execution of the story are more severe and absolute. The novel is also metaphorical in the sense that most readers may not like Emma Bovary, but in contrast, they would tend to give her a lot of attention. Madame Bovary is presented in the text as covetous, small-minded, bored by life, but at the same time, readers cannot stop reading about her due to fascination despite the fact that she succumbs to one venal impulse after the other. The author uses a skill that attracts the attention of the audience, while at the same time sustaining the disbelief.

Emma’s Lack of Character Flaws

Even though Emma lacks the right attributes, she doesn’t have a lot of character flaws. She plays a role of a sensitive and sensual vacuum that sucks every conceit that is ready-made. An example is an instance whereas a convent student; she mistakes ardent veneration for a religious vocation (Flaubert 301). While thinking about her future with Bovary, Emma wanted to get married at midnight to learn about the meaning of the words like bliss, passion, and intoxication. Apparently, Flaubert intended to represent the “scorn for the bourgeoisie” by using Emma as the character. The intention is justified by the tendency to serve the current sentiments unconsciously.

Work Cited

Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. Westminster: Penguin Books Limited, 2003.