Summary Emma buried herself in her fantasies and dreamed of living in Paris, among the nobility. She visualized life in the capital as a constant round of balls, parties, amours, and other exciting things. She read novels and travel books voraciously and studied maps of the city. Much of her […]

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Summary The chateau was a building of stately proportions, situated on a large and prosperous estate. The many rooms were filled with expensive and artistic furnishings and decorations. The ball was attended by all the aristocracy and gentry of the surrounding area. Emma was overjoyed at the opportunity of being […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 8

Summary Emma wondered if the honeymoon was actually to be the finest part of her life. She wondered why she couldn’t be standing in a Swiss chalet with a husband in a dashing outfit of velvet, soft boots, peaked hat, and so forth. As Charles’ outward attraction for her increased, […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 7

Summary Emma recalls her thirteenth year, when her father took her to the convent to live. She enjoyed the convent at first; she liked talking with the nuns and she enjoyed answering the difficult questions correctly. But she soon relinquished herself to the languid atmosphere of the convent and found […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 6

Summary The wedding was a gala affair with many friends and relatives present. There was much good fun; the only unpleasant note was the sullen attitude of Bovary’s mother who resented not having had a hand in the plans or preparations. Charles’ great happiness was apparent to all who saw […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapters 4-5

Summary Sometime after, Roualt paid Charles a call to settle his bill and to offer his condolences. He invited Bovary to visit at the farm. Charles accepted the offer and became a frequent guest at the Roualt house. In these circumstances, Bovary’s interest in Emma matured, and soon he found […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 3

Summary Late one night Charles was awakened with a request to come 18 miles out in the country and set a broken leg. He sent the messenger on ahead and promised to follow in a couple of hours. At four in the morning, Charles set out on the journey, trying […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 2

Summary At the age of fifteen, Charles Bovary struck his schoolmates as a shy and clumsy country lad. He did not have great intelligence or wit but was a diligent and industrious student. He was quiet; however, he mixed well with the other boys. His father was a former army […]

Read more Summary and Analysis Part I: Chapter 1

Charles Bovary A country doctor. He lacks intelligence and imagination; he is naive and unaggressive and has the most conventional and mundane interests. Emma Bovary She is portrayed as an irresponsible, immature, and neurotic woman who is unable to adjust to the realities of her life. Rodolphe Emma’s first lover, […]

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Gustave Flaubert’s masterpiece, Madame Bovary, was published in 1857. The book shocked many of its readers and caused a scandalized chain reaction that spread through all France and ultimately resulted in the author’s prosecution for immorality. Since that time, however, Madame Bovary has been recognized by students of literature as […]

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