What Makes Madame Bovary a Canonical Novel

A literary canon represents a selection of the most highly regarded works within a nation, distinguished for their exceptional aesthetic quality and cultural significance. These texts earn their status through the endorsement of both academic and cultural institutions, standing out above other literary works in terms of language, meaning, and societal influence. One such work that has achieved canonical status is Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. The novel serves as a sharp critique of 19th-century French society, addressing issues of economic class divisions, gender roles, and outdated romantic ideals through the use of rich metaphors, vivid imagery, and layered symbolism.

Class Divisions in 19th Century France

In 19th-century France, class divisions were stark and deeply entrenched, with each social class exhibiting its own distinct characteristics and cultural practices. Among these classes was the bourgeoisie, a newly emerging middle class that arose in response to the burgeoning capitalist economy. This class was often characterized by materialism and a focus on production. According to Marxist theory, the bourgeoisie represented a shift in family dynamics and the role of the state: “the family [was] successively broken down and more [resembled] a relationship of commercial contract, rather than one [that] genuinely [expressed] kinship and the care of one generation for the other” (www.marxists.org). This perspective illustrates how the bourgeoisie were trapped in a cycle of economic stability, unable to ascend or descend the social ladder without external factors like debt.

Flaubert critiques the bourgeoisie through his realistic narrative style, centering Madame Bovary on the life of Emma Bovary, a beautiful young woman who initially appears content with her middle-class existence. Despite having a loving husband, Charles, and a comfortable home, Emma becomes increasingly dissatisfied with her life. She cannot bear her modest living conditions, contrasting them sharply with the opulence of the Marquis d’Andervilles' chateau. This longing for a life of luxury reveals her discontent and serves as a critique of the limitations imposed on women and the bourgeois class alike.

The Struggle of the Bourgeoisie

Emma’s relentless craving for a more extravagant lifestyle underscores the struggles faced by the bourgeoisie. Despite her husband’s efforts to provide her with material comforts, she remains perpetually dissatisfied. Flaubert writes, “The craving for money and the melancholy of passion, all blended together in one general misery” (Flaubert 121). This illustrates how the bourgeois class, despite their hard work, finds that their efforts merely sustain a basic existence rather than provide the luxuries they desire.

In the following table, we can see how Emma's life is marked by her aspirations versus her reality:

Emma's experiences reflect the disillusionment of the bourgeois class under a capitalist system that rewards inherited wealth while penalizing hard work. Through her character, Flaubert highlights the frustrations and limitations faced by those striving for upward mobility in an unjust society.

Critique of Gender Roles

In addition to critiquing the bourgeois class, Flaubert also addresses the societal constraints imposed on women in 19th-century France. Emma is often viewed solely as an attractive wife, her intelligence overlooked by those around her. Her father, for instance, considers her little more than a means to secure a marriage for her, reflecting the transactional nature of familial relationships during this time. He muses, “If he asks for her, he shall have her” (Flaubert 37), treating Emma as a commodity rather than a person with desires and ambitions.

Emma’s own reflections on gender roles reveal her awareness of her societal position. She expresses a desire for her child to be a son, believing that “a woman is constantly thwarted” (Flaubert 101). This statement encapsulates the limitations placed on women, who were expected to be docile and obedient, relegated to the domestic sphere while men held power in both the household and society at large.

Flaubert's portrayal of Emma's struggles emphasizes the repressive nature of a patriarchal society. Women were often valued only for their potential as wives and mothers, their talents and intellect ignored. Emma’s artistic abilities and aspirations are overshadowed by her societal role, illustrating the gender inequality prevalent in her time.

The Realism of Madame Bovary

Flaubert’s decision to adopt a realistic approach in Madame Bovary marks a departure from the romanticism that characterized earlier literature. He portrays Emma as a character trapped in the mundane reality of bourgeois life, disillusioned by the romantic ideals she has internalized through literature. Her expectations of love are shaped by fantastical depictions of romance, leading her to seek fulfillment in affairs with Leon and Rodolphe, which ultimately leave her feeling emptier than before.

Flaubert’s realistic depiction of love contrasts sharply with the idealized notions prevalent in romantic literature. He illustrates that true love is not characterized by grand gestures or intense passions, but rather by the quiet, steadfast devotion that Charles displays, even in the face of Emma’s betrayals. “Love is not something that comes suddenly, with thunder and lightning” (Flaubert 113); it is found in the everyday acts of care and commitment, which Emma fails to recognize.

Conclusion

Madame Bovary stands as a pivotal work in the literary canon, igniting discussions about class, gender, and the nature of love in 19th-century French society. Flaubert's realistic portrayal of Emma's struggles, combined with his incisive critique of capitalism and patriarchal norms, solidifies the novel's canonical status. Through rich language, vivid imagery, and profound symbolism, Madame Bovary transcends its time, offering enduring insights into the human condition and societal flaws.

Works Cited

"Bo." Encyclopedia of Marxism. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2015.

Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. London: Penguin, 1995. Print.