First LoT book club discussion: Madame Bovary

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

What struck me about Charles is he seemed to show more affection for Emma in death than he ever seemed to do in life.

This, to me, showed that he was just as bad as Emma was. They both constructed their own fantasy worlds to live in, and in his, he had a devoted (lovely/kind/etc) wife. Once she was dead it was far easier for him to over-dramatize her supposed qualities.

[Not Afraid]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

This, to me, showed that he was just as bad as Emma was. They both constructed their own fantasy worlds to live in, and in his, he had a devoted (lovely/kind/etc) wife. Once she was dead it was far easier for him to over-dramatize her supposed qualities.

I think this was part of the point of the book - to take a look realistically at the dangers and pitfalls of romaticism. Flaubert demonstrated, through a fictionalized story, what could happen if lives were lead without a good dose or reality. His point was extreme, but I think it had the effect he desired. It certainly was an unusual take on contemporary life.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

Once she was dead it was far easier for him to over-dramatize her supposed qualities.

But isn't this how it really is? When someone isn't around, our fantasies get to fill in the spaces - for good or bad.

But in Charles' case, it seems his need was to preserve the illusion of a happy marriage lost - to the point of paying out non-existent debts. His denial is so great one wonders if his dispair was casued so much by her betrayal, or rather her inability to be discreet. Certainly in French culture of the time, it was discretion that was valued above all, infidelity seemed an expectation or at least a commonplace enough occurance.