Madame Bovary

What does Emma’s quick disillusionment with her marriage reveal about the role of women in marriage in the 19th century? How is this significant to understanding Emma’s character?

Why is Charles so oblivious to Emma’s apathy for him and their life together? What does this reveal about Charles’s character?

Why does Emma turn to adultery in order to enact her fantasies? What do both of her lovers represent, and how do they differ? What does this reveal about the choices women had in the 19th century?

What is Flaubert’s message about the institution and role of the Catholic church in 19th-century France? How does this message impact plot or thematic developments?

What role does Monsieur Homais play in the novel? What 19th-century critique does his character represent?

What role does Monsieur Lheureux play in the novel? What 19th-century critique does his character represent?

How do the power dynamics of Emma’s affair with Rudolphe rely on The Subjugation of Women under 19th-century patriarchy? Do Emma’s other affairs reflect this same patriarchal power structure, or does Emma have more power in her other affairs?

Analyze Emma’s affair with Léon. What might Flaubert be arguing about the relationship between literature, language, and The Gap Between Fantasy and Reality through this affair?