Out of all the 19th century classic literature, Madame Bovary is amongst my favorites. It is a French romance, written by Gustave Flaubert. The main plot on Madame Bovary is that of female adultery, which became quite a popular trope during that time.
Madame Bovary is a multi-layered novel that allows for various possible routes of interpretation, based on both the social context of the time and of modern times. One of the most interesting aspects of the novel are the complex characters created by Gustave Flaubert. The characters navigate a morally gray world, blurring the lines between virtue and vices. Flaubert creates a narrative where characters thrive on moral ambiguity, challenging conventional notions of right and wrong.
One of the biggest aspects of moral ambiguity in the novel is in the portrayal of Emma Bovary herself. While she engages in morally questionable actions, such as committing adultery, accumulating huge amounts of debt and lying to her husband about her affairs and about their financial situation, Flaubert also invites readers to empathize with her. Emma’s internal struggles and the societal constraints that contribute to her discontent are aspects of her life that blur the line between right and wrong . Emma’s moral choices, while ethically questionable, are also a response to the oppressive norms and the limitations she suffered as a woman in that society. Her actions represented a form of vengeance against it.
The characters surrounding Emma also contribute to the overall theme of moral ambiguity. Charles Bovary, Emma’s husband, is depicted as a well-intentioned but somewhat naive individual. He remains faithful and devoted to Emma and his family, however, his lack of awareness and inability to comprehend Emma’s emotional needs contribute to his representation as a less than great husband. While having a clear moral compass and being guided by a sense of fairness and righteousness, Charles also can be seen as egoistic and self-absorbed. He mirrors in Emma his ideals of a good marriage, without allowing her to be herself and to be loved in the way she desired.
Let’s look at how Emma’s lovers fall into the same gray area. Rodolphe is the epitome of the moral ambiguity trope, portraying a complex web of charm, manipulation, and self-interest. His romantic affair with Emma is derived from a calculated seduction that blurs the line between genuine affection and strategic pursuit. Rodolphe’s selfish nature becomes evident when he ultimately abandons Emma, showing indifference and disregard for her emotions. However, by leaving in a cold and uncaring manner, Rodolphe also acts in concordance with the attitudes prevalent in the society at the time, in other words, he acts as is expected of him as a man, challenging then the modern socially accepted moral frameworks.
Leon, on the other hand, is initially presented as a shy and romantic figure, who seems to have a genuine interest in Emma. For the larger part of the narrative, however, he does not act upon his feelings. This helps emphasize the morality of his character, respecting the boundaries of Emma’s marriage. We start seeing the ambiguity and complex layers of Leon’s morality when he finally engages in an affair with Emma. Different from Rodolphe, however, Leon expresses genuine interest and care for Emma.
Later on, Leon’s moral ambiguity is emphasized by his indecisiveness regarding Emma. He struggles to fully commit to the relationship with Emma, always wrestling with the consequences of his actions. At many times, Leon can be seen as a victim of circumstances, bending his will to what Emma desires and not having a decisive voice in the relationship. However, by sharing his feelings with Emma, Leon ultimately is the one who initiates the affair, contributing to the exploration of the moral complexities in Leon’s character, challenging traditional notions of virtue and vice.
Ultimately, I believe that Leon’s unhappiness with the affair with Emma has more to do with him getting tired of Emma’s actions and personality than with a moral struggle. Leon doesn’t necessarily regret having an affair, but he regrets having an affair with Emma.
Homais is one of the most prominent supporting characters in the novel. He embodies moral ambiguity through his character’s blend of ambition, self-interest, and a facade of virtue. Homais initially appears as a figure of respect and success, striving for progress and scientific advancements. However, his later actions reveal a darker side, tainted by opportunism and a lack of ethical boundaries. Homais manipulates situations for personal gain, using his influence to advance his social status and business. His ongoing pursuit of recognition and success leads him to compromise ethical principles, for example, when he promoted unsafe medical treatments for financial gain. Homais is supportive of the Bovary’s when they first arrive in Yonville, being the most welcoming and friendly host. However it is seen later that his actions are guided by a desire of self-promotion and self-preservation.
The selfish tendency of his character remains throughout the novel, but can only be perceived by the reader because of the narration style. The characters in the novel fail to see this side of Homais personality, which does not come through in his interactions. The epitome of it comes at the end of the book, with Homais using Emma’s death to promote his own gain.
The society itself is not exempt from moral scrutiny. Flaubert satirizes the bourgeois values of the time, revealing the hypocrisy and moral decay beneath the facade of respectability. The characters’ concordance with societal expectations contrasts with their private actions, creating a moral discrepancy to the narrative. This incoherence between the expected social norms and individual behavior creates situations where actions that seem to be guided by morally acceptable desires lead to very different consequences. Emma’s pursuit of romantic ideals is driven by a desire for happiness, but it ultimately leads to immoral affairs, tragedy and more unhappiness.
In the end, Madame Bovary challenges readers to question their own moral judgments. The characters’ actions exist in a gray area rather than in purely black and white. How Flaubert’s portrays moral ambiguity prompts reflection on the complexities of human nature, societal expectations, and the blurred boundaries between right and wrong.
Other famous examples of female adultery literature are Effi Briest, by Theodore Fontane and Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy.
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