Abstract
Discover the nuanced portrayal of Charles Bovary in Gustave Flaubert's seminal novel, Madame Bovary. Published in 1857, this pioneering realistic novel masterfully explores the complexities of its characters, particularly Charles Bovary, often perceived as mediocre and common. Flaubert's ironic detachment in describing Charles' simplicity and mediocrity raises questions about the character's true nature, inviting readers to ponder the ambiguity of Flaubert's gaze - is it compassion, mockery, or empathy? As the novel progresses, Charles evolves from a ridiculed boy to a figure worthy of compassion, embodying the deceived husband and passive man. Through Charles' character, Flaubert crafts an anti-bourgeois satire, critiquing the societal norms of his time. Explore the intricate dynamics of Flaubert's masterpiece and uncover the depth of Charles Bovary's character, a testament to Flaubert's perfectionism and literary genius.
Extract
[...] « When the costume was ready, Charles wrote to Mr. Boulanger that his wife was at his disposal, and that he counted on his complaisance18 This is far beyond the superficial irony with which Flaubert exploits the illusions of the characters who find their origin in a utopian, or even grotesque, reality. Charles, convinced of Emma's fidelity, inadvertently sends her into the arms of another man. Everyone has understood except him, so ignorant and blind he is. « By making Charles Bovary a small-town peasant, the text gives to read the vulnerability of this class of society to the influence of the contemporary bourgeois ideology, an ideology of power based on having, at the same time as the choice of this social status favors the critical dismantling of this influence.19 Thus, several facets of the character Charles Bovary make him a ridiculous character and constitute an anti-bourgeois satire that Flaubert has elaborated with a certain ironic detachment. [...]
[...] - Graham Falconer, 'Flaubert assassin of Charles', Langages of Flaubert, acts of the conference of London (Canada) 'Situation', n°32, Lettres Modernes, Minard, Paris pp. 115-141. - Czyba, L., Medicine and doctors in Madame Bovary, Presses universitaires de Franche-Comté p.127-149. - DOI : 10.4000/books.pufc.1174 - https://books.openedition.org/pufc/1261?lang=fr#ftn1 - Czyba, L., The Woman in Flaubert's Novels, Presses universitaires de Lyon, Lyon pp. 47-118. - https://books.openedition.org/pul/20088 - Faye, B., The staging of romantic failure in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, Revue Akofena, n°1, March 2020, pp. [...]
[...] Reaction of Charles to the illusory ideal of Emma. His name and first name reflect well the struggle between idealism, the dream, the airy, the desire (Emma) and the earthly side of Bovary ('boeuf') His marriage (she then changes her name and, from Rouault becomes Bovary) is the first step of his calvary since she is then marked like a red-hot iron by this opposition between dream and reality, between desire and reality. Then, it is necessary to recognize that Charles does not have a psychologist's mind. [...]
[...] Regarding the exercise of his profession as a country doctor, he is far from being able to meet the financial needs. Patients are kept waiting. In the countryside, bartering is more common. Father Rouault settled the fees several months after the treatment for his leg.4 In addition, the distances traveled and the days are very long. To go to the Bertaux to repair Father Rouault's leg, Charles left his house around four in the morning.5. He returns home in the evening at ten o'clock and sometimes midnight. "He came home late, at ten o'clock, sometimes midnight. [...]
[...] However, concerning Emma, Charles is blinded by love. He only wishes for Emma's happiness. But, he is rather a wretched husband who will involuntarily propel his wife into the arms of her lover. Despite the debts, the whims of his wife, only Charles will remain faithful to her. After the ridiculous, the reader can finally sympathize with Charles thanks to his honesty towards his daughter and his wife from start to finish. B. Reflection on the way Flaubert treats the mediocrity and simplicity of the character As for the way Flaubert evokes the mediocrity and simplicity of Charles Bovary, it highlights his perfectionist side. [...]
