Gustave Flaubert is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his pursuit of perfect symmetry in his writing. This pursuit is most evident in his novel Madame Bovary, where the plot, characters, and setting are all carefully crafted to create a sense of balance and symmetry.
One of the most striking examples of symmetry in Madame Bovary is the way that the plot mirrors Emma’s life. Just as Emma’s life spirals out of control, so does the plot of the novel. Every decision that she makes leads to further disaster, culminating in her suicide. In this way, Flauberts demonstrates that there is a dangerous symmetry to life itself.
Flaubert also uses symmetry in his character development. For example, Emma is initially presented as a woman with many admirable qualities, such as intelligence and independence. However, as the novel progresses, Flaubert gradually reveals her darker side, showing that she is actually quite selfish and shallow. This gradual development mirrors the way that most people’s true character is not revealed until they are in extreme situations.
Finally, Flaubert creates a sense of symmetry in his setting. The majority of the novel takes place in the town of Yonville-l’Abbaye, which is a microcosm of Emma’s life. Just as Emma’s world becomes increasingly small and isolated, so does the town in which she lives. Additionally, each of the main settings in the novel-the farmhouse, the market, the church-corresponds to a different stage in Emma’s life.
Madame Bovary, by Gustave Flaubert, is considered one of the most famous novels in the realistic tradition. Through the use of free indirect discourse and a changing narrative point of view, Flaubert attempted to maintain a sense of objectivity about his characters and thus present reality as objectively as possible.
The symmetry of narrative in Madame Bovary is also evident in the way that the novel moves back and forth between the present and past. This technique is used to create suspense as well as to provide glimpses into the characters’ backgrounds. For instance, the section describing Emma’s childhood is placed early in the novel so that the reader can better understand her motivations later on. Likewise, the events leading up to Emma’s suicide are related at the end of the novel in order to provide a sense of closure. By structuring the novel in this manner, Flaubert ensures that his readers have a complete understanding of his characters and their actions.
The symmetry of narrative in Madame Bovary is a testament to Gustave Flaubert’s skill as a storyteller. By using a variety of techniques, he creates a work that is both compelling and realistic. Through the use of irony, structure, and point of view, Flaubert ensures that his readers are fully engaged with his characters and their story. Madame Bovary is a masterful novel that remains relevant to this day thanks to its finely crafted narrative.
“Madame Bovary” is narrated from the perspective of an unnamed first-person narrator who comments on Charles’ school years from “our” viewpoint. The narrative never shifts to “I,” and the narrator is never named.
There is also a third-person narrator who tells the story of Emma’s life. This symmetry of narrative reflects the symmetrical structure of the novel as a whole.
The first-person narrator provides insight into Charles’ thoughts and feelings, while the third-person narrator reveals Emma’s innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of two narrators allows Flaubert to create a more complete portrait of his characters. The symmetry of the narrative also underscores the theme of duality in the novel.
Charles and Emma are two sides of the same coin; they are both deeply flawed individuals who are searching for something that they will never find. Their lives are filled with deception and disappointment, and their stories ultimately end in tragedy. The symmetry of the narrative underscores the fact that these two characters are doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
In the end, “Madame Bovary” is not just a story about one woman’s tragic downfall. It is also a portrait of a society that is in the process of dying. Charles and Emma represent the two extremes of nineteenth-century French society: the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. Both groups are in decline, and their values are no longer relevant in the modern world. “Madame Bovary” is a scathing critique of French society in the 1800s, and its symmetrical structure underscores this theme.
One of the most significant difficulties with this subjective approach to description is that it allows readers to misinterpret the book’s intended meaning. If Flaubert had shown the world of Madame Bovary exclusively through Emma’s eyes, the reader would be compelled to accept her viewpoint as correct and begin relating to her.
Flaubert however, takes great care to introduce objective points of view which often run counter to Emma’s own thoughts and feelings. For example, shortly after meeting Charles Bovary for the first time, Emma has a conversation with her friend Léon in which she exclaims: “Oh! he had beautiful eyes!” (Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. Chapter 1) To which Léon replies, “You’re mad about him.” (ibid.) This exchange serves as a perfect introduction to Emma’s character; she is an individual who is easily swayed by her emotions and who often lacks objectivity.
The use of symmetry in the narrative of Madame Bovary reinforces this interpretation of the character of Emma. For example, after the first meeting between Charles and Emma, their paths cross again at a party some time later. This time, Charles pays more attention to her and they dance together.
The readers’ perception of Emma’s character is strongly influenced by her first physical description: “Charles was taken aback by the whiteness of her fingertips. They were almond-shaped, tapering, as clean and gleaming as Dieppe ivories, and they were polished like polished ivory. Her hands, on the other hand, were not beautiful—not pale enough, perhaps; a bit rough at the knuckles; and they were too long without softness of line.”
This first impression of Emma is one of stark contrast; her hands are beautiful but her nails are not. Flaubert uses this to foreshadow Emma’s nature as a character. Emma is constantly in conflict with herself and with the world around her. She wants to be beautiful and admired, but she also wants to rebel against society’s expectations for women. Her hands represent these conflicting desires perfectly.
On the one hand, they are delicate and refined; on the other hand, they are rough and unpolished. This duality is present in all aspects of Emma’s character and it drives the narrative forward. The symmetry of Flaubert’s narrative is also evident in the structure of the novel. The story is divided into six parts, each of which corresponds to one of the main characters in the novel. Each part begins with a description of that character and ends with their death or downfall.
This symmetry creates a sense of cohesion and completeness to the story. It also reinforces the idea that all characters are interconnected and that their fate is ultimately decided by Emma’s actions. Flaubert’s Madame Bovary is a masterfully crafted novel with a richly nuanced narrative. The symmetry of its structure and the complexity of its characters create an unforgettable reading experience.
