Madame Bovary is a classic French novel written by Gustave Flaubert and published in 1856 An iconic work of French literature, Madame Bovary tells the story of Emma, who is a married woman living in a provincial town in rural France. She lives an unfulfilled life with her doting physician husband, Charles Bovary. In a desperate attempt to escape her boredom and unfulfilled yearnings, Emma enters into a series of adulterous relationships which eventually leads to her death.
Madame Bovary is a classic study of romantic disillusionment, with themes of adultery, social conventions, and moral dissolution. The novel is often seen as a critique of 19th century French society, and has often been adapted into films, operas, and other media.
Essay topics on Madame Bovary could include:
1. Analysis of Emma Bovary as a feminist character: In Madame Bovary, Emma Bovary's actions and choices are often seen as an illustration of her search for freedom and identity. This essay would analyze Emma's character and her actions to explore what makes her a feminist figure.
2. Themes of Romanticism in Madame Bovary: This essay could focus on the various romantic themes present in the novel, such as Emma's attempts to escape her mundane life by pursuing extra-marital relationships, her longing for passion and adventure, and her eventual descent into self-destruction.
3. Social criticism in Madame Bovary: This essay could explore how Flaubert uses the novel to comment on the strict conventions of 19th century French society. It could also analyze how Emma is a representation of the effects of these conventions on individuals.
4. Analysis of the marriage between Charles Bovary and Emma: This essay could explore how Charles's marriage to Emma is a representation of the traditional 19th century marriage. It could look at how Charles attempts to control and possess Emma, and how Emma's attempts to escape this control leads to her eventual downfall.
5. Exploring the irony of Madame Bovary: This essay could focus on the way Flaubert uses irony in the novel to examine the role of fate in Emma's life. It could analyze the various points in the novel which display irony and contrast with the expectations of the reader.