Madame Bovary
Reading instructions and group work assignment
Every student is expected to read the whole novel. There will be a quiz to verify and reward comprehensive reading.
As you read, articulate answers to the following questions. Writing down answers is a good way to practice and improve articulation skills, which will be useful for classroom presentations as well as paper development.
In class, you will be given time to exchange individual answers in small groups before presenting them to the class.
Additionally, you are invited to articulate for the rest of the class thoughtful questions and/or topics of discussion (or papers). So, as you read, write down your questions and bring them to class for discussion.
|
1
|
Emma's education in Flaubert's Madame Bovary.
Reflect on Emma’s education, and how it shapes her character and, eventually, her life. Give particular--but not exclusive-- attention to Chapter 6. Then, draw a portrait, physical, social, and psychological, of Emma’s character, illustrating it with quotes or significant passages from the text.
|
|
2
|
Emma's husband and lovers.
Using evidence from the text, draw a physical, social, and psychological portrait of Leon, illustrating it with quotes or significant passages from the text. What roles does he fulfill in Emma's life? What roles does he fail to fulfill? What roles does he allow her to take on?
|
|
3
|
Emma's husband and lovers.
Using evidence from the text, draw a physical, social, and psychological portrait of Rodolphe, illustrating it with quotes or significant passages from the text. What roles does he fulfill in Emma's life? What roles does he fail to fulfill? What roles does he allow her to take on?
|
|
4
|
Emma's husband and lovers.
Using evidence from the text, draw a physical, social, and psychological portrait of Emma's husband, illustrating it with quotes or significant passages from the text. What roles does he fulfill in Emma's life? What roles does he fail to fulfill? What roles does he allow her to take on?
|
|
5
|
Wives.
In contrast to Emma's, can you find portraits of exemplary wives in the novel? Make sure to mark the interesting pages to read to the class.
|
|
6
|
The Narrator.
What can you say about the narrator? Give particular--but not exclusive-- attention to the beginning and the end of the novel.
|
|
7
|
Title and structure.
Reflect on the title chosen by Flaubert. Why not simply Emma?
Reflect on the structure of the book: How is the novel organized? (Think 3)
|
|
8
|
The blind man.
What does the blind man represent in the novel? Make a list of his appearances to orgnize your thinking. To which other characters does he appear to be connected, one way or the other? Elaborate on his role in Emma's life and death.
|
|
9
|
Homais.
Reflect on Homais. Draw a portrait of this character. What roles does he play in the novel?
|
|
10
|
Romanticism?
Does the book strike you as a romantic novel? What are the romantic aspects of the story?
Does the story seem to encourage romanticism, or on the contrary does it seem to serve as a warning against romanticism?
Can it be both, and how?
|
|