Social Classes In Flauberts Madame Bovary - 1439 Words

In the 18th century, European society put an emphasis on social standing; each social class was expected to act differently, thus affecting the way one would get treated and the amount of opportunities available to them. In Flaubert’s Madame Bovary, food imagery and the way each character acts towards food reveals the distinctions between the various social classes and, more importantly, the mediocrity of the French bourgeoisie. However, Flaubert chooses not to focus on all of the social classes, but solely on the characteristics and mannerisms surrounding the middle and the high classes. Revolving the novel around middle-classed characters who represent the middle class, Flaubert criticizes the bourgeoisie through their desire to escape†¦show more content†¦The food served was not as grand as the dishes that would be present at a high-class banquet; however, it was still sophisticated enough that the food was relatively unavailable for the lower class to be able to a fford. This allows for the Bovary’s to have an air of aristocracy that masked their middle class reality. Moreover, although living comfortably, the actions of those in the middle class are still considered very basic; many of the bourgeoisie had lackluster table manners. Frustrated with Charles’ eating habits, Emma describes him â€Å"to be getting coarser in his ways;... after meals, he used to suck his teeth; eating his soup, he made a gurgling noise with every mouthful† (58). Such behaviour would be unheard of in the higher class, but to Emma, this was her unfavourable reality. Through this portrayal, she reveals her dissatisfaction with the behaviour of her own middle-class lifestyle. Furthermore, Emma’s constant sophisticated desires are incomprehensible by the rest of the middle class as the elder Madame Bovary â€Å"found her style too grand for her situation† (40). Emma views herself more as an aristocrat than a bourgeoisie, hence attempti ng to boast her seemingly more refined characteristics. Hoping to escape the mundane middle class, the bourgeoisie pine after the luxurious life of an aristocrat. Despite the bourgeoisie’s strong desire to rise above their social status, their wish was still unattainable;Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Morality In Madame Bovary1075 Words   |  5 Pageswriter. As such, we could argue that Flaubert’s main character in Madame Bovary, Emma, was based on one of his prostitutes and describes how he feels about women. Therefore, I am surprised the government bought Flaubert’s answer. After reading Madame Bovary, I understand why the government brought action against the author Gustave Flaubert and charged him with immorality. The entire novel is based on adultery, blasphemy, misery, bad decisions, self-destruction, social disgrace, financial ruin, and suicideRead MoreThe Rise Of A Middle Class Essay1678 Words   |  7 PagesEarly nineteenth century France gave rise to the ultimate social class called the Bourgeoisie. The Bourgeoisie consisted of the factory owners, wealthy bankers and the rest of upper class and their prestigious employment positions. The upper class glorified a life full of glamor and materialism. In contrast, the lower class or the working class came to be the proletariats. The working class appreciated hard work and strived to improve their circumstances; however, the Bourgeoisie strived to ensureRead MoreEssay on Tolstoys Anna Karenina3020 Words   |  13 Pagesscenes of Anna Karenina is the mowing at Levins estate. The first fully developed interaction between Levin and the peasant class that, at different stages of artistic development symbolized for Tolstoy the triumph of nature over the stained upper classes, the essence of Slavism that would save Russia from Europes fate of immolation by the intellectual class of nihilists and anarchists, and the core of a future religious utopia here appear in the narrators brief snatches of description in a very