Madame Bovary And Charles Essay, Research Paper

+ Unable to accept that Emma had died

o Leaves her room and clothes just the way it was

o He has her buried in her wedding dress

o Daydreams about their memories (her sounds, gestures, and poses)

o Clipped a lock of her hair

o At the gravesite, he yells, Good-bye! and tries to jump in the grave

+ Can t stick to religion after a week

+ Doesn t talk to anyone in town

o Justin ran off to Rouen

o Homais doesn t want to talk to him

o Only has a relationship with his daughter

+ Financial situation worsens

+ Begins to take on Emma s characteristics

o Yells at his mother for complaining about the cost

o Refuses to let his mother stay with him in Yonville

o Stops communicating with his mother

+ Becomes submissive

o Doesn t get mad when he finds that Rodolphe had an affair with his wife

o Blames everything on fate

o

In many of the great works of literature, the story is often comprised of unique characters. These characters all exhibit their own unique and individual traits. In Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert, Charles Bovary is one of the major characters that impact the story. Charles is head over heels in love with his wife, Emma. Throughout the story, he is seen as an undemanding, unimpressive, and unnoticed middle-class man. After Emma s death, these weak traits of Charles become more prominent. Charles behavior after Emma s death reveals him to be a submissive, na ve and blind man, as well as a weak-spirited person who refuses to accept his wife s death.

Throughout the story, Flaubert depicts Charles as a submissive person. Other people control him in his life, namely his mother, his first wife, and Emma. Charles trait of submissiveness does not dissipate after Emma s death; in fact, Flaubert takes the opportunity to further highlight Charles submissiveness. After Emma s death, Charles happens to run into Rodolphe; Rodolphe is bold enough to invite Charles for a bottle of beer in a tavern. Charles knows about the affair between Emma and Rodolphe, however, he is not angry! Charles distinctly says: I don t hold it against you! and he also says Only fate is to blame. These two remarks show Charles to be even more submissive after his wife s death: before, he was submissive to his wife Emma, now, he is submissive to Rodolphe. He agrees with Rodolphe that it is fate that caused this to happen. Charles is indeed a submissive person that lets himself be dominated by other people. Finally, at the end of the story, he submits to the cold presence of death.

After Emma s death, Charles is also revealed to be as na ve and as blind as ever. Initially, after Emma s death, Charles still does not realize that his wife had affairs with Leon and Rodolphe. Charles love for Emma still flows strong after Emma s death; however, it is this love that causes Charles naive ness. Immediately after Emma s death, Charles insists that an expensive funeral be given: I want her to be buried in her wedding gown, with white shoes and a wreath. Three coffins: one oak, one mahogany, one lead. Cover her with a big piece of green velvet. This further highlights Charles blindness; Charles is still blindly in love with her even after her death and is willing to do anything for her. If he only knew about her affairs before her funeral, I doubt Charles would have been as extravagant. Emma s death further reveals Charles to be a provincial man, na ve and blind.

Most importantly, Charles behavior after Emma s death illustrates his weakness in spirit. Immediately after Emma s death, Charles is full of disbelief and denial. Recalling stories about catalepsy and miracles of magnetism, he told himself that by concentrating all his will power he might be able to bring her back to life. Flaubert captures Charles weak spirit by revealing Charles thoughts. Charles weak spirit prevents him from overcoming this tragedy in his life. He constantly thinks of Emma and cannot let her go. Near the end, with his wife’s death, his financial ruin, and his discovery of Emma’s love letters to Leon and Rodolphe, Charles realizes how bleak a future he has in front of him. His spirit crumbles and he dies a broken man.

In Madame Bovary, Charles is an undemanding, unimpressive, and unnoticed middle-class man who centers his life on his object of affection, Emma. After Emma s death, Flaubert further highlights Charles weaknesses: Charles seems to be more submissive, na ve, blind, and weak-spirited. Overall, Charles Bovary s behavior after his wife s death reveals him to be a weak and powerless character.