Flaubert: Madame Bovary

MadameBovarywasoneofthemostinfluentialliteraryachievementsofthenineteenthcenturyandgainedimmediatenotorietythroughitsquestioningofmarriage,sex,andtheroleofwomen.StephenHeathshowshowthislandmarktextcapturesandarticulatesafundamentalexperienceofthepost-romantic,commercial-industrial,emotional-democraticperiod.HeexplainshowMadameBovaryrepresentsFlaubert'sintensepersonalengagementwiththetragedyofbourgeoisculture,whileatthesametimeexemplyfyingtheauthor'scommitmenttotheimpersonalityofArtandthetranscendenceofstyle.Thenovelissetinitsliteraryandhistoricalcontextandthereisaguidetofurtherreading.