An Analysis of the Character of Charles Bovary in Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary Essay

Unable to accept that Emma had died oLeaves her room and clothes just the way it was oHe has her buried in her wedding dress oDaydreams about their memories (her sounds, gestures, and poses) oClipped a lock of her hair oAt the gravesite, he yells, Good-bye! and tries to jump in the grave Cant stick to religion after a week Doesnt talk to anyone in town oJustin ran off to Rouen oHomais doesnt want to talk to him oOnly has a relationship with his daughter Financial situation worsens Begins to take on Emmas characteristics oYells at his mother for complaining about the cost oRefuses to let his mother stay with him in Yonville oStops communicating with his mother Becomes submissive oDoesnt get mad when he finds that Rodolphe had an affair with his wife oBlames everything on fate o In many of the great works of literature, the story is often comprised of unique characters. These characters all exhibit their own unique and individual traits. In Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert, Charles Bovary is one of the major characters that impact the story. Charles is head over heels in love with his wife, Emma. Throughout the story, he is seen as an undemanding, unimpressive, and unnoticed middle-class man. After Emmas death, these weak traits of Charles become more prominent. Charles behavior after Emmas death reveals him to be a submissive, nave and blind man, as well as a weak-spirited person who refuses to accept his wifes death. Throughout the story, Flaubert depicts Charles as a submissive person. Other people control him in his life, namely his mother, his first wife, and Emma. Charles trait of submissiveness does not dissipate after Emmas death in fact, Flaubert takes the opportunity to further highlight Charles submissiveness. After Emmas death, Charles happens to run into Rodolphe Rodolphe is bold enough to invite Charles for a bottle of beer in a tavern. Charles knows about the affair between...