Madame Bovary

"Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert is a seminal novel written in the mid-19th century that delves into the life and struggles of a woman named Emma Bovary in a small French village. The story masterfully examines themes of desire, dissatisfaction, and the constraints of societal norms as it portrays Emma's quest for love and fulfillment outside her mundane existence. Central to the narrative is Emma Bovary herself, whose romantic aspirations lead her into a web of emotional turmoil and moral conflicts. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Charles Bovary, a simple and unremarkable country doctor, as well as his new pupil, Charles, who is distraught after a series of unfortunate school incidents. The initial chapters provide a glimpse into Charles's upbringing and the dynamics of his family, including his overbearing mother. The narrative quickly shifts to Emma Rouault, the daughter of a farmer, who has been raised in a convent and harbors romantic dreams inspired by novels and tales of adventure. As she navigates her early marriage to Charles, Emma's discontent with her simple life becomes evident, setting the stage for her yearning for a more passionate existence, a conflict that promises to drive the unfolding drama of her life. The opening lays the groundwork for Emma's internal struggles and foreshadows the tragic path she may take in her yearning for a different reality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Gustave Flaubert was a French novelist. He has been considered the leading exponent of literary realism in his country and abroad. According to the literary theorist Kornelije Kvas, "in Flaubert, realism strives for formal perfection, so the presentation of reality tends to be neutral, emphasizing the values and importance of style as an objective method of presenting reality". He is known especially for his debut novel Madame Bovary (1857), his Correspondence, and his scrupulous devotion to his style and aesthetics. The celebrated short story writer Guy de Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert.