"Madame Bovary" is a novel by Gustave Flaubert, whose appearance in 1856 caused a scandal in the literary community. And after years, the work became one of the masterpieces of world literature.
The story of the creation of the novel
It took Gustave Flaubert five years to complete the novel Madame Bovary. The perfectionist Flaubert spent several days working on one page of his work until he managed to get the perfect version.
The inspiration for Flaubert was the story of the Delamar family, which the writer was reminded of by the best friend of Louis Bouillet. Eugene Delamar was a rather poor medical student who studied under Father Flaubert, a respected physician. Eugene worked in a provincial town near Rouen. Like Charles Bovary, he married an elderly widow who died several years later. Then, Eugene was married to the young, beautiful daughter of the farmer, Delphine Couturier. She was brought up in a monastery and was fond of reading romantic novels. At first, Dolphin was glad to run away from the family farm, but soon she became bored. She was disappointed in her husband and her life. Like Emma Bovary, Madame Delamar was wasteful in money and had many extramarital affairs. Soon, she began to have big debts and committed suicide. Eugene was deeply in love with a selfish woman and, unable to live without her, committed suicide. Mother Eugene raised her only daughter in poverty.
Of course, the main characters were created by the author in accordance with his vision of a future novel. For example, some character traits of Emma Bovary Flaubert associated with his mistress Louise Colet. Moreover, Dr. Lariviere was based on the image of Flaubert's father, and the maid Felicit was based on Julie, the nurse of Flaubert.
Initially, a novel describing adultery caused much controversy and in 1857 became the subject of legal proceedings. But soon an acquittal followed, and the scandal caused by the release of the book only added popularity to the work of Gustave Flaubert.
Summary: Part I
Charles Bovary is the son of a former military surgeon. His family lives on a small farm. After a while, it became apparent that Charles's father does not manage money well. And his many novels with "village harlots" led to the fact that his wife lost all respect for her husband and focused on raising her son. She believes that medicine is a boy’s vocation. But unfortunately, Charles is too lazy and not smart enough to master this science. Several times he passes exams unsuccessfully, but in the end he manages to get a diploma. His mother puts him to practice and convinces him to marry the rich widow of Eloise Dubuc.
One day Charles goes to the aid of his neighbor, farmer Rouault. There he meets his daughter Emma and very soon realizes that he is in love. Eloise notices a change in her husband’s behavior and makes Charles promise that he will never visit Farmer Rouault’s house. Charles reluctantly agrees. But then he finds out that his wife’s lawyer stole most of her money. Moreover, she exaggerated the size of her condition. One week after these events, Eloise suddenly dies.
After the death of Eloise, Charles spends more and more time with Emma and soon asks for her hand from Rouault. After consulting with his daughter, the farmer agrees. Despite the fact that the marriage is agreed, Emma and Charles should wait until the moment of the end of mourning. In the meantime, they are planning a wedding. Emma dreams of a romantic wedding, but Charles arranges a more traditional ceremony, followed by a celebration until late at night.
The day after the wedding night, Charles is in high spirits. And Emma is too calm and collected, given that she lost her virginity and began her married life. Soon the couple goes to Charles's house in Toast. Rouault stays with memories of how happy he was during his own wedding.
Once in Toast, Emma inspects her new home and begins to establish her own rules. She begins to plan small improvements in the house, while Charles in love focuses solely on his beautiful young wife. However, Emma, romantic by nature, dreaming of a perfect marriage full of bliss and passion, begins to understand that reality did not live up to expectations.
Meanwhile, the Marquis d'Andervillier, Charles' patient, invites the couple to the ball. She is amazed at the wealth of the Marquis and the luxury of the ball. Against this background, her husband seems too awkward and ingenuous. At one point, Emma sees the maid open the window to cool the ballroom. She notices the peasants watching the ball and recalls the farm and her real life.
Emma became obsessed with the idea of a luxurious life. She is angry and disdainful of Charles, who to a large extent blames her boring, gray routine. Her surroundings are so oppressed that she becomes physically ill. Charles is very worried about Emma’s health and believes that a change of scenery will give her a chance to recover. He decides that they will move to Yonville, a city where there is a doctor’s vacancy. Just before that, Emma regrets that she is pregnant. In a fit of anger and disappointment, she throws her dried bridal bouquet into the fire and watches it burn. And then packs things up and prepares for the move.
Summary: Part II
Charles and Emma come to Ionville. They go for dinner with the doctor Mr. Ome. A young man, assistant notary Leon Dupuis, joins the meal. While Charles is engaged in a conversation with Omé, Emma and Leon discover many common topics for conversation. They feel mutual sympathy. Emma hopes that perhaps it is here that she will be able to start a new life about which she dreams.
Meanwhile, Emma gives birth to a daughter, Bertu, and again experiences disappointment. After all, she dreamed of a boy. Her dull everyday life brightens up only meetings with Leon, which in the end turn into a romantic relationship. But Leon understands that a relationship with a married woman has no future. In addition, Jonville was tired of him. Leon beckons Paris and he soon leaves.
Emma is again depressed and disappointed in her life. But getting to know the landowner Rodolfo Boulanger changes everything. Between them, a romantic relationship begins, which soon turns into a sexual one. As their romance develops, Emma becomes more dependent on Rodolf and obsessed with him and his luxurious life.
Gradually Rodolf gets tired of his too romantic mistress. Emma, feeling cold from the landowner, buys a lot of expensive gifts for Boulanger, accumulating large debts to the merchant Leray.
Meanwhile, Charles remains the only person in the city who does not notice the behavior of his wife. He has the opportunity to perform a unique operation, but he is unsure of his abilities. Emma persuades him to agree. After all, this will have a good effect on her husband’s career. Meanwhile, the operation takes place with complications, and Charles shows his incompetence. Emma is convinced of the worthlessness of her husband and decides to flee with Rodolfo Boulanger. The landowner leaves the city, leaving Emma a farewell letter.
Emma is saddened and ill again. For six weeks, she suffers from very high fever. Her treatment is too expensive and Charles is forced to borrow money from Leray at a very high rate. Emma begins to recover.
Wanting to encourage his wife, Charles invites her to go to Rouen to visit the opera. There they meet Leon and all three go to a cafe. By coincidence, Charles returns to Jonville that same evening. And Emma stays in Rouen for the night to watch the second half of the play the next day.
