Madame Bovary (Roy's Analysis)
Genroy Hylton
It is in human nature to indulge in acts that gratify our emotion. Psychologists and evolutionary theologist teach that the heart can convince the brain, but the inverse is not true for the brain. That means people will most likely do what makes them feel good and not what is the best for them. Throughout the novel Madame Bovary the author Gustave Flaubert uses literary devices such as symbolism to express the idea that pleasure inhibits the progress of human aspiration. The first instance of pleasure inhibiting progress is in chapter one. Charles Bovary the main character is doing some intense studying for his medical practice exams. The author states, on page ten, that Monsieur Bovary “breaks all good resolutions” and starts to go to cafes to play dominoes. The Arthur states that Monsieur Bovary starts to [lose his mind] over the game. Monsieur Bovary quickly loses his sensible self value, evidenced by the fact that he starts “spending evening … in a dirty public room. The Arthur further goes to express his low self esteem for Monsieur Bovary at this point by metaphorically comparing the game of dominoes to a simple clicking of dotted sheep bones on a marble table. The specific form of pleasure, Monsieur Bovary is getting from his irresponsible actions, is the same of freedom. Throughout Monsieur Bovary’s life he has been subjected to follow under the authority of his parents. His farther always tried to push him to be aggressive, assertive, and strong willed. This can be deduced from the belief the farther has, which is “with enough nerve a man could always get a head in the world.” which can be found on page seven. The farther also attempts to “harden his child’s constitution”, with “strict-discipline”. This actually works to further put young Monsieur Bovary into a submissive role. When a child is forced to follow a strict set of rules and is not allowed to challenge the principle but instead obey them without an
It is in human nature to indulge in acts that gratify our emotion. Psychologists and evolutionary theologist teach that the heart can convince the brain, but the inverse is not true for the brain. That means people will most likely do what makes them feel good and not what is the best for them. Throughout the novel Madame Bovary the author Gustave Flaubert uses literary devices such as symbolism to express the idea that pleasure inhibits the progress of human aspiration. The first instance of pleasure inhibiting progress is in chapter one. Charles Bovary the main character is doing some intense studying for his medical practice exams. The author states, on page ten, that Monsieur Bovary “breaks all good resolutions” and starts to go to cafes to play dominoes. The Arthur states that Monsieur Bovary starts to [lose his mind] over the game. Monsieur Bovary quickly loses his sensible self value, evidenced by the fact that he starts “spending evening … in a dirty public room. The Arthur further goes to express his low self esteem for Monsieur Bovary at this point by metaphorically comparing the game of dominoes to a simple clicking of dotted sheep bones on a marble table. The specific form of pleasure, Monsieur Bovary is getting from his irresponsible actions, is the same of freedom. Throughout Monsieur Bovary’s life he has been subjected to follow under the authority of his parents. His farther always tried to push him to be aggressive, assertive, and strong willed. This can be deduced from the belief the farther has, which is “with enough nerve a man could always get a head in the world.” which can be found on page seven. The farther also attempts to “harden his child’s constitution”, with “strict-discipline”. This actually works to further put young Monsieur Bovary into a submissive role. When a child is forced to follow a strict set of rules and is not allowed to challenge the principle but instead obey them without an
Cited: "Flaubert, Epilepsy. Famous People Who Suffered from Epilepsy: Gustave Flaubert." Flaubert, Epilepsy. Famous People Who Suffered from Epilepsy: Gustave Flaubert. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. Flaubert, Gustave, and Claudine Gothot-Mersch. Madame Bovary. Paris: Garnier, 1971. Print. "World Biography." Gustave Flaubert Biography. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Mar. 2013.