First LoT book club discussion: Madame Bovary

[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.