Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Flaubertconceptions, nor of his sorrows; and since human speech is had taken refuge at her son’s, was not the least scandalised oflike a cracked tin kettle, on which we hammer out tunes to the women-folk. Many other things displeased her. First,make tears dance when we long to move the stars.Charles had not attended to her advice about the forbiddingBut with that superior critical judgment that belongs to him of novels; then the “ways of the house” annoyed her; she allowedherself to make some remarks, and there were quarrels,who, in no matter what circumstance, holds back, Rodolphesaw other delights to be got out of this love. He thought all especially one on account of Felicite.modesty in the way. He treated her quite sans facon.* He made Madame Bovary senior, the evening before, passing alongof her something supple and corrupt. Hers was an idiotic sort the passage, had surprised her in company of a man—a manof attachment, full of admiration for him, of voluptuousness with a brown collar, about forty years old, who, at the soundfor her, a beatitude that benumbed her; her soul sank into of her step, had quickly escaped through the kitchen. Thenthis drunkenness, shrivelled up, drowned in it, like Clarence Emma began to laugh, but the good lady grew angry, declaringthat unless morals were to be laughed at one ought toin his butt of Malmsey.By the mere effect of her love Madame Bovary’s manners look after those of one’s servants.changed. Her looks grew bolder, her speech more free; she “Where were you brought up?” asked the daughter-in-law,even committed the impropriety of walking out with MonsieurRodolphe, a cigarette in her mouth, “as if to defy the she were not perhaps defending her own case.with so impertinent a look that Madame Bovary asked her ifpeople.” At last, those who still doubted doubted no longer “Leave the room!” said the young woman, springing upwhen one day they saw her getting out of the “Hirondelle,” with a bound.her waist squeezed into a waistcoat like a man; and Madame “Emma! Mamma!” cried Charles, trying to reconcile them.Bovary senior, who, after a fearful scene with her husband, But both had fled in their exasperation. Emma was stampingher feet as she repeated—*Off-handedly.165