Madame Bovary and Charles

· 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 …showed first 75 words of 795 total…

…showed last 75 words of 795 total…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, naïve, blind, and weak-spirited. Overall, Charles Bovary’s behavior after his wife’s death reveals him to be a weak and powerless character.