Madame Bovary Critical Analysis

Flaubert criticizes the values of the bourgeois class through events leading to Emma’s downfall

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, written in 1856, is a realist novel which tells the tale of Emma Bovary who is the wife of a doctor. Emma has various adulterous affairs, spends all of her husband’s money, and eventually commits suicide. Through the events and factors which led to Emma’s downfall, Flaubert criticises the bourgeois class by revealing the problems embedded in its values.

Throughout Madame Bovary, Flaubert constantly reminds the reader of the powerlessness of middle-class women in his era, who tend to be defined primarily through the men in their lives, thus lacking the empowerment to live and to pursue their own interests independently. This social constraint plays a significant role in Emma’s downfall, as she is incapable of fulfilling her own aspiration to become a member of the higher class. Emma is forced to depend on her husband Charles, whose laziness and incompetence prevent him from attaining a higher financial status, which in turn fuels Emma’s complete dissatisfaction with life. Emma's relationships’ with both lovers further contrast her lack of influence with the men’s absolute freedom . While both of them choose to abandon her after realizing that she isn’t worthwhile of their time, Emma has no choice but to stick to her marriage. Emma is painfully aware of the situation she is in, which is why she desperately wishes for a son, because “a man, at least, is free; he can explore all passions and all countries, overcome obstacles, taste of the most distant pleasures”; a male child would will have the power she lacks. This quote clearly shows Flaubert’s understanding and disapproval of the plight of women in th...

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... sell all of his belongings to pay back endless debts before dying prematurely due to depression. Their daughter Berthe, who is completely innocent, is sent off to live with a distant relative, and forced to work at a cotton factory. Through these contrasting outcomes, Flaubert criticises the society for allowing the greedy, selfish and cold-hearted thrive, while letting their victims lose everything and die in misery.

In Madame Bovary, Flaubert is able to convey his dislike for the dull, selfish middle class through many unfortunate events leading to Emma’s death. As seen from the previous analysis, through the powerlessness of women, the monotonous, tedious daily routine of the bourgeoisie, and the ruthlessness of the middle class, Flaubert shows how the values and social norms of the middle class can have a devastatingly negative impact on the individuals.