Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert | Summary & Analysis

Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary explained with chapter summaries in just a few minutes! Professor Bill Yarrow of Joliet Junior College provides an in-depth analysis of the plot, characters, symbols, themes, and motifs of Gustave Flaubert’s novel Madame Bovary. Download the free study guide and infographic for Madame Bovary here: A biting critique of bourgeoisie (or middle-class) values, Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary relates the tragic life of striver Emma Bovary and her husband Charles. Bored of her mundane existence as a doctor’s wife in a small town, Emma turns to indulgent spending and romantic dalliances to find passion and true love, as well as to distract herself. Emma’s love affairs in the short-term bring passion, but ultimately end in disappointment and Emma finds herself worse off than she was before. In her loneliness she also develops a desire for wealth and grandeur. Aiming t