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Was Flaubert’s an accurate portrayal of bourgeois marriage in this description of Emma and Charles?

User NealJMD
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In Gustave Flaubert's novel "Madame Bovary," the characters Emma and Charles Bovary represent a portrayal of a bourgeois (or middle-class) marriage in 19th-century France. The novel, which was published in 1857, portrays a story of Emma who, feeling trapped in her mundane and unfulfilling married life with Charles, seeks fulfillment through extramarital affairs and extravagant spending.

Flaubert's portrayal of Emma and Charles' marriage is one of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Charles, a well-meaning but dull and unexciting man, is unable to provide Emma with the emotional and intellectual stimulation she craves. Emma, meanwhile, is restless and yearning for a more exciting life, which leads her to engage in extramarital affairs and overspending.

Flaubert's portrayal of Emma and Charles' marriage is generally seen as an accurate portrayal of the bourgeoisie marriage of that time, as it highlights the societal expectation placed on women in particular to conform to a traditional and domestic role in marriage, and the limited opportunities for personal and intellectual growth for both partners. Furthermore, the novel also illustrates the financial struggles faced by the Bovarys and the moral judgment imposed on Emma as a woman who goes against societal expectations.

It's important to remember that "Madame Bovary" is a work of fiction and therefore it may not be entirely accurate, but it is considered to be a representation of that time's society and the reality that many individuals faced in those conditions.

User Tdracz
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