Madame Bovary

How do you understand the significance of Emma and Leon’s relationship, as it is presented in Part II of Madame Bovary? While nothing explicitly “happens” between them, it seems that their encounter changes everything for Emma. The novel tells us that Emma is filled with lust, rage, and hatred. We’re told she wished Charles would beat her, so that she could hate him and take her revenge: “Domestic mediocrity drove her to sumptuous fantasies, marital caresses to adulterous desires.” (101).

Your response paper (350-500 words) should include a brief summary of the assigned reading, a focused analysis responding to the proposed topic, and finally an interpretation or concluding statement based on your reading of the text. The paper will be graded as either “complete” or “incomplete”. If you receive an “incomplete” grade, you will have the chance to rewrite and resubmit your assignment.