Emma Bovary
The protagonist, a woman trapped in a provincial marriage who seeks fulfillment in romantic fantasies and adulterous affairs.
Core Belief
"True happiness lies in passionate love and escaping the banality of everyday life."
Worldview
Emma views the world through a romantic lens, idealizing love, beauty, and social status. She feels trapped by the limitations of her gender and social circumstances, and seeks to transcend them through fantasy and experience.
Personality
Restless, romantic, and dissatisfied, Emma craves passion and luxury. She is easily influenced by romantic literature and societal expectations, leading her to make impulsive decisions and accumulate debt. She is both intelligent and naive, capable of deep feeling but ultimately self-destructive.
In Their Own Words
"“Good heavens! Why did I marry?”"
"“What a man! What a man!”"
"“Ah! if Heaven had not willed it! And why not? What prevented it?”"
Discussions with Emma Bovary
Other Characters from Madame Bovary
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