Love Vs. Passion In Madame Bovary by Gustave Bovary

In an ideal world, like the one Emma Bovary yearns for in the book Madame

Bovary, romantic relationships are based on the principle that the two participants are madly in love with each other. But in the world Gustave Flaubert paints in his book, as in the real world, passion and personal gain are the only reasons people enter into a relationship.

Before meeting Emma, Charles Bovary weds a much older woman. He

“had seen in marriage the advent of an easier life, thinking he would be more free to do as he liked with himself and his money.';(p. 7) But he also laments that “his wife was master; he had to say this and not say that in company, to fast every Friday, dress as she liked, harass at her bidding those patients who did not pay.';(p. 7) These are clearly not the signs of a loving relationship; indeed, Charles and Madame Dubuc treat marriage as a chore or formality, and not a pleasure.

When Charles takes his second wife, Emma, love is, once again, not involved. He muses that her father, “old Rouault was rich, and she!-so beautiful!';(p.15) He knows he will be marrying into a wealthy family, and he will be obtaining a “trophy wife.'; As for Emma’s part in the marriage, she has no say whatsoever. She is given to Charles by her father in exchange for a dowry. So, before she is even married, she is already treated like chattel by the me...