Madame Bovary - Penn State University

Flaubertlove always alienates us from them to some extent. We must she must have passed, he thought, through every experiencenot touch our idols; the gilt sticks to our fingers.of suffering and of pleasure. What had once charmed nowThey gradually came to talking more frequently of matters frightened him a little. Besides, he rebelled against his absorption,daily more marked, by her personality. He begrudgedoutside their love, and in the letters that Emma wrote himshe spoke of flowers, verses, the moon and the stars, naive Emma this constant victory. He even strove not to love her;resources of a waning passion striving to keep itself alive by then, when he heard the creaking of her boots, he turnedall external aids. She was constantly promising herself a profoundfelicity on her next journey. Then she confessed to her-She did not fail, in truth, to lavish all sorts of attentionscoward, like drunkards at the sight of strong drinks.self that she felt nothing extraordinary. This disappointment upon him, from the delicacies of food to the coquettries ofquickly gave way to a new hope, and Emma returned to him dress and languishing looks. She brought roses to her breastmore inflamed, more eager than ever. She undressed brutally, from Yonville, which she threw into his face; was anxioustearing off the thin laces of her corset that nestled around her about his health, gave him advice as to his conduct; and, inhips like a gliding snake. She went on tiptoe, barefooted, to order the more surely to keep her hold on him, hoping perhapsthat heaven would take her part, she tied a medal of thesee once more that the door was closed, then, pale, serious,and, without speaking, with one movement, she threw herselfupon his breast with a long shudder.about his companions. She said to him—Virgin round his neck. She inquired like a virtuous motherYet there was upon that brow covered with cold drops, on “Don’t see them; don’t go out; think only of ourselves; love me!”those quivering lips, in those wild eyes, in the strain of those She would have liked to be able to watch over his life; and thearms, something vague and dreary that seemed to Leon to idea occurred to her of having him followed in the streets. Nearglide between them subtly as if to separate them.the hotel there was always a kind of loafer who accosted travellers,and who would not refuse. But her pride revolted at He did not dare to question her; but, seeing her so skilled,this.241