Book Review 16 - Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Book Review 16 - Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Title: Madame Bovary. Author: Gustave Flaubert. Publication Details: First published in 1857, Madame Bovary was initially serialized in the Revue de Paris from October to December 1856 before being published as a novel. Genre: Realist Fiction. 

Introduction 

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert is one of the most iconic novels of 19th-century French literature, often regarded as a seminal work in the genre of literary realism. The novel tells the story of Emma Bovary, a woman trapped in a mundane provincial life, who seeks excitement and fulfillment through romantic affairs and extravagant spending. Flaubert’s detailed and psychologically astute portrayal of Emma’s disillusionment and moral decline presents a biting critique of romantic idealism, consumerism and the constraints of bourgeois society. Its unflinching realism shocked contemporary readers and the novel's themes of infidelity and discontent remain relevant today. 

Summary of the Plot 

The novel centers on Emma Bovary, a young woman from a rural background who marries Charles Bovary, a well-meaning but dull country doctor. Emma, filled with romantic dreams and fantasies from reading novels, soon finds her marriage and provincial life suffocating. She becomes dissatisfied with her husband’s simple and unambitious nature and begins to seek excitement and fulfillment elsewhere. 

Emma engages in two extramarital affairs— first with the charming but ultimately fickle Rodolphe and later with Léon, a young law clerk. However, neither affair brings her the lasting happiness she craves. Along with her emotional escapades, Emma falls into financial ruin due to reckless spending on lavish goods to fill the void in her life. Her debts accumulate and eventually, her situation becomes unsustainable. Desperate and overwhelmed by guilt and shame, Emma takes her own life by ingesting arsenic. The novel concludes with Charles's discovery of her affairs and financial ruin, which leads to his own death, leaving their daughter an orphan. 

Analysis of Themes 

One of the central themes of Madame Bovary is romantic idealism versus reality. Emma’s unrealistic expectations, derived from romantic novels, lead to her eventual downfall as she constantly seeks an unattainable life of passion and adventure. Flaubert uses Emma’s character to critique the dangers of unrealistic desires and romantic fantasies. 

Social class and consumerism are also key themes. Emma’s constant yearning for luxury and status, symbolized by her obsession with expensive clothes and furniture, highlights the growing materialism of the 19th-century French middle class. Flaubert critiques the bourgeois pursuit of wealth and status, showing its ultimate emptiness through Emma’s dissatisfaction and self-destruction. 

The theme of gender roles and repression is also evident. Emma’s desire for autonomy and excitement is constrained by her gender and social position. Trapped in her role as a wife and mother, she rebels against the limitations placed on her by engaging in affairs and extravagant purchases, but these rebellions only lead to further entrapment. 

Style and Structure 

1. Narrative Style 

Flaubert employs a third-person omniscient narrative style in Madame Bovary, allowing him to explore the inner thoughts of multiple characters, particularly Emma. The novel’s realistic portrayal of everyday life is enhanced by the precision of Flaubert’s narrative voice, which avoids emotional involvement and often takes on a detached, almost clinical tone. This objectivity is crucial to the novel’s exploration of characters’ motivations and societal pressures. 

2. Language and Tone 

The language of Madame Bovary is characterized by its precision and attention to detail. Flaubert famously claimed to spend days perfecting individual sentences and the result is prose that is both elegant and meticulous. His tone is often ironic, particularly in his portrayal of Emma’s romantic fantasies and the mundane reality of her life. Flaubert’s ironic tone adds depth to the narrative, offering subtle commentary on both the characters and the society they inhabit. 

Critical Evaluation 

1. Strengths 

One of the greatest strengths of Madame Bovary is its masterful use of realism. Flaubert’s commitment to portraying life as it is, without embellishment or idealization, gives the novel a timeless quality. His psychological depth, especially in the portrayal of Emma, makes the novel a landmark in character-driven fiction. Emma’s internal struggles and dissatisfaction with her life resonate with readers across generations. 

Another strength is Flaubert’s critique of romanticism. By contrasting Emma’s grandiose dreams with the harsh realities of provincial life, Flaubert exposes the dangers of romantic idealism and the futility of chasing unattainable fantasies. His critique of consumerism and bourgeois values also offers an incisive commentary on 19th-century French society. 

2. Weaknesses 

While Madame Bovary is celebrated for its realism, some readers may find the novel's slow pace and lack of action to be a weakness. The detailed descriptions of mundane provincial life, while essential to the novel’s realism, can sometimes feel tedious. Additionally, Emma’s character, though complex, may be perceived as unsympathetic, which can make it difficult for some readers to connect with her plight. 

Conclusion 

Madame Bovary is a seminal work that continues to captivate readers with its unflinching portrayal of a woman’s disillusionment and moral decline. Through its exploration of romantic idealism, consumerism and the limitations of bourgeois life, Flaubert's novel offers a timeless critique of societal norms and individual desires. Its strength lies in its psychological realism and precise, ironic narrative style. Though its slow pace and unsympathetic protagonist may be challenging for some, the novel remains a landmark of literary realism and a profound reflection on the human condition. 

References

Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. Translated by Lydia Davis. Penguin Classics, 2010.

Brombert, Victor. The Novels of Flaubert: A Study of Themes and Techniques. Princeton University Press, 1966.

Belsey, Catherine. Desire: Love Stories in Western Culture. Blackwell Publishing, 1994. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is Madame Bovary about? 

Madame Bovary follows the life of Emma Bovary, a doctor's wife, who becomes dissatisfied with her provincial life and seeks excitement through extramarital affairs and material excess. The novel explores themes of romanticism, desire and the consequences of personal disillusionment. 

What themes are explored in Madame Bovary? 

Major themes include the conflict between romantic idealism and reality, the consequences of materialism, the oppressive nature of provincial life and the exploration of personal dissatisfaction and its impact on one's life choices. 

Why was Madame Bovary controversial when it was published?

When it was first published in 1857, Madame Bovary was considered scandalous for its depiction of adultery and its critique of bourgeois society. Flaubert was even put on trial for obscenity, though he was eventually acquitted.