5000-Word Bedside English Learning Reader 7: Madame Bovary

Author: Wang Ruoping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Freedom in English Communication with 5000 Words! Good English is "read" out! This classic reading series allows you to fully read in English! Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880), a master of French realist literature, is the author of Madame Bovary, which is hailed as one of the world's top ten literary masterpieces and is his masterpiece. Mr. Bovary is a country doctor. Although he is shy, dull, and taciturn, he is cautious and well-loved. While treating the leg injury of the elderly Loisel, he fell in love with his daughter Emma. Emma is naturally imaginative, passionate, and imaginative, and has received a good education from a convent. At that time, Emma also believed that she was in love with him, and after the death of Bovary's former wife, Emma became Mrs. Bovary. However, after the marriage, Emma gradually grew tired of the dull life and found that marriage did not bring her the happiness she dreamed of. Bovary is conservative, has a mediocre conversation, and is emotionally dull, which is far from the knight Emma imagined, making Emma very frustrated. At this time, they received an invitation to attend a dance party in Vauvert, which was a turning point in Emma's life. At the luxurious dance party of noble men and women, a graceful marquis invited Emma to dance. That night, she saw the lifestyle of the upper class. After that, Emma was full of thoughts about the Vauvert ball, and she was very envious of the luxury of the ball, imagining that she could also live like a lady, of course, never forgetting the marquis she danced with. Out of consideration for Emma's health, Mr. Bovary moved the family to the town of Yonville. Emma gave birth to a little girl there. At this time, the young clerk Leon appeared in her life. He was handsome, charming, and also had romantic ideas. They clicked instantly, got along well, often chatted, and even read poetry together. However, because Leon was too young, he always kept his love for Emma in his heart, mistaking her for an unreachable, cold, and aloof wife and mother, and left the town of Yonville to seek opportunities in Paris. Emma was disheartened and disappointed, and her life became even more frustrating. The peaceful life stifled Emma, and she often cried alone, venting her dissatisfaction. At this time, the experienced roué Rodolphe, seeing that she was beautiful and that her husband was so dull, wanted to take advantage of the situation and seduce Emma. He was good at catering to her tastes, saying some romantic flattery, and even took Emma to an agricultural exhibition with her, taught her to ride horses, and had frequent dates with her. In this way, Emma was completely trapped in the love trap that Rodolphe had set. Emma fell madly in love with Rodolphe, bought him many gifts, and even asked him to elope with her. At first, Rodolphe agreed. Emma then spent a lot of money and secretly prepared for the trip. However, in the end, Rodolphe changed his mind, wrote her a letter, and left the town of Yonville. Emma's dreams were shattered, and she fell seriously ill. Dr. Bovary gave up his job and stayed by her side every day to take care of her until she recovered. Mr. Bovary took her out for a walk and took her to Rouen to see a play, but unexpectedly met Leon at the theater. By then, Leon had changed greatly and was no longer the shy and affectionate young man he used to be. He proposed to Emma, and the two began to be intimate. From then on, Emma used the excuse of learning the piano to travel between the town of Yonville and Rouen. She spent money without restraint, accumulating more debts, and eventually fell into heavy debt. If she did not repay it, her property would be seized. To hide the truth from her husband, she went around borrowing money. She asked Leon for help and even hinted that he should embezzle public funds. Leon agreed on the surface but did not take action. Then she went to seek help from the notary Gausseman, only to find that he was a lecher who wanted to take advantage of the opportunity but was rejected by Emma. In despair, she thought of Rodolphe and came to his residence full of hope. Rodolphe lived a luxurious and extravagant life, claiming to love her with his mouth but saying he had no money to lend her. With no other option, Emma, filled with regret, took poison and committed suicide; Mr. Bovary was heartbroken and could only complain about the unfairness of fate. In the end, the clinic went bankrupt, and Mr. Bovary died of depression.