Madame BovaryThis exquisite novel tells the story of one of the most compelling heroines in modern literature--Emma Bovary. "Madame Bovary has a perfection that not only stamps it, but that makes it stand almost alone; it holds itself with such a supreme unapproachable assurance as both excites and defies judgement." - Henry James Unhappily married to a devoted, clumsy provincial doctor, Emma revolts against the ordinariness of her life by pursuing voluptuous dreams of ecstasy and love. But her sensuous and sentimental desires lead her only to suffering corruption and downfall. A brilliant psychological portrait, Madame Bovary searingly depicts the human mind in search of transcendence. Who is Madame Bovary? Flaubert's answer to this question was superb: "Madame Bovary, c'est moi." Acclaimed as a masterpiece upon its publication in 1857, the work catapulted Flaubert to the ranks of the world's greatest novelists. This volume, with its fine translation by Lowell Bair, a perceptive introduction by Leo Bersani, and a complete supplement of essays and critical comments, is the indispensable Madame Bovary. |
Contents
The Novelist on His Art | 353 |
Gustave Flaubert | 377 |
Gustave Flaubert | 390 |
Realism in Madame Bovary | 421 |
The Weaknesses of Madame Bovary | 446 |
Flauberts Silences | 468 |
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Common terms and phrases
apothecary Argueil arms asked beautiful began beneath Bertaux Binet Bois-Guillaume Bournisien Bouvard et Pécuchet Bovary's Canivet Charles Charles's cried Croisset door dreams dress elder Madame Bovary Emma Emma's everything eyes face feel Félicité felt finally Francis Steegmuller francs front Fyodor Dostoevsky garden hair hand head heard heart horse husband idea Jane Austen Justin kind kiss lady laugh leaning leave Léon letter listened looked LOUISE COLET Madame Bovary Madame Homais Madame Lefrançois Maxime Du Camp Monsieur Bovary Monsieur Homais Monsieur Lheureux Monsieur Rouault never night novel pale Paris passion pharmacist poor priest replied Rodolphe Rodolphe's Rouen seemed Sentimental Education Stendhal stood stopped stupidity style suddenly talk things thought tion took trees turned Tuvache Vassonville Vaubyessard voice walked wall wearing wife wind window woman words write Yonville Yvetot