Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Name: Madame Bovary
Author: Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary is the story of Emma Bovary, a young woman living in a small French town in the mid-19th century. Emma is married to Charles Bovary, a dull and unambitious doctor, and is bored with her life. She dreams of a more exciting and romantic life, and begins to have affairs with two men, Rodolphe and Leon. Emma's affairs bring her financial ruin, as she spends lavishly on gifts for her lovers and on luxuries for herself. She takes out large loans to pay for her extravagances, and is unable to pay them back. Her husband is unable to help her, and she is eventually arrested for her debts. The novel follows Emma's descent into despair and her eventual death. It is a powerful exploration of the consequences of living a life of illusion and fantasy, and of the power of society to shape and control individuals.

By Gustave Flaubert · First published 1857 · Genre: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Tragedy · 35 chapters · 117,067 words

First lines

MADAME BOVARY We were in class when the head-master came in, followed by a "new fellow," not wearing the school uniform, and a school servant carrying a large desk. Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work.

The head-master made a sign to us to sit down. Then, turning to the class-master, he said to him in a low voice--

What this Textopian page supports

Madame Bovary is listed on Textopian as a novel by Gustave Flaubert, dated 1857 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Gustave Flaubert
Date: 1857 CE
Language: English
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Literary Fiction
Length: 117,067 words
Structure: 35 chapters, 4,058 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Realistic Fiction — Madame Bovary is a realistic novel that follows the life of Emma Bovary, a woman who is dissatisfied with her marriage and seeks to escape her mundane life through affairs and extravagant purchases.
Romance — The novel follows Emma's romantic relationships with other men, as she attempts to find love and fulfillment outside of her marriage.
Tragedy — The novel ends tragically, with Emma's death, and is a cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking fulfillment through material possessions and romantic relationships.
Literary Fiction — Madame Bovary is considered a classic of literary fiction, and is renowned for its psychological realism and its exploration of themes such as love, marriage, and class.