During the process of reading Gustave Flauberts novel Madame Bovary, I began to notice the very unique way Flaubert wrote his descriptions and dialogues. In Part One of his novel the very first line is We were in class when the head master came in (p. 5). The first chapter signifies that the novel will be narrated in first person plural, as in the view of an outsider. However, I believe that the narrator changes each time the characters move or change their location. This is because I believe the narrator is various towns people.
By having towns people narrate, it supports the point of the novel by giving an outsiders view of the characters lives, and what is important to the development of the story. If the narrator was to fully get into any of the characters heads, particularly Emmas, then the reader may feel differently towards certain events in the novel. For example, in Part Two, at the end of Chapter V, Felicite is telling Emma about the daughter of a fisherman who was ill until she became married. Emma then replies to this story with but with meit was after marriage that it began (p. 91). This statement leads the reader into Emmas mind. However, there is still some mystery as to exactly what shes thinking, or as to why she feels that marriage has made her ill. There is never an extended explanation as to why she truly feels this way. Only, there are inferences as to why shes so obsessed with the idea of having a life similar to a fairy tale.
Through out the novel several incidences occur with very little description, which I find strange, because there are many other things that are overly described. Not to mention, the things that have very little description seem to be some of the most pivotal moments. In Part One of the novel, at the end of Chapter II, the first Madame Bovary dies. The death of her is abrupt and has barely any explanation. Flaubert alludes that she may have had tuberculosis by stating, She was seized with a spitting of blood. Yet, when she actually passed away, all that was said was Shegave a sigh and fainted. She was dead! What a surprise! (p. 19).
Another occurrence would be in Part Two, Chapter III, when Emma gives birth to her daughter. The narrator talks about how Emma had hoped for a son because this idea of having a male child was like an expected revenge for all her impotence in the past (p. 74). When the birth of her child finally came, the only thing described was that it was early Sunday morning. Also, when Charles reveals that the sex of the baby is a girl, Emma turned her head away and fainted. There is no depiction as to what the child looks like, or the struggle of having her. I suppose its not an extremely important part of the plot line to give a detailed account. Nonetheless, Flaubert sifts through situations that he feels are more worthy of explanation than others.
In correlation to the birth of Emmas daughter, and importance of plot, there is an essential moment when Emma asks Leon to go with her to see her daughter. Her reasoning for him to escort her is because she feels tired, and fears she wont make it by herself. The way this scene is written portrays that this is being viewed through the eyes of the towns people. Not only because it happened in town, but the dialogue suggests an eavesdropper. Also, its noted that the mayors wife said that Emma was jeopardizing her good name (p. 77). Thus proving that people were around to witness the event take place, and spread the word of the encounter.
In Part One, Chapter VIII, Flaubert gives an extended account of the ball that the Bovarys attend. In doing this, it gives the reader a sense of where the Bovarys stand in a larger social setting. The ball, in its self, is what causes Emma to believe shes not living the life she feels she deserves. Also, the way Charles is shown at the ball causes Emma to recognize how out of place he is. Her hatred for him begins to rise to a whole new level. She then reacts to this realization by living beyond her means. This situation escalates throughout the novel by Emma buying things for her and for others.
For instance, in Part Two, Chapter XII, Emma gets Rodolphe a riding crop. In turn to purchasing the item, Lheureux, a merchant, continues to lend her money. Lheureux continues to lend Emma money, and sends her deeper into debt. While reading the parts where Lheureux computes her expenses, it never seems to make much sense. He convinces Emma to give him more money than she owes, thus forcing her even further into debt.
In Part Three, Chapter VII, officers come to the Bovarys home to look over their belongings. They had the intention to seize everything to pay off Emmas debts. They leave a guard behind to stay with the house. Emma, who is desperate to hide this all from her husband, conceals the guard in the attic, and frantically goes about town trying to raise money to avoid the collectors. In the process she notices a posting stating that all her belongings are going to be auctioned off to the public. This instance shows her shock, yet the narrator continues on, for the narrator knows already since he/she is the public.
In the same chapter, two townswomen watch Emma beg for more time from Binet, a tax collector. They see her seduce him, and, in turn, get shot down by him. She then leaves his office angered. By having the townswomen in the story, the narrator gives the reader a peak into whats going on in the publics mind, and what they think of Madame Bovary.
In conclusion, the narrators accounts of the story are interestingly chosen, especially when it comes to what is considered important or not. This same idea correlates with attention to detail in the events. Yet, once the reader finishes the novel, they understand why particular happenings were more explicit than others. Perhaps the death of Charles first wife didnt need to be examined to full extent. Maybe it was just a building block for the rest of the story, much like the birth of Emmas daughter, or Emmas own death. Nevertheless, the details that were given were never completely unnecessary.
Already have an account? Log In Now
4216