Discover Flaubert’s masterpiece in English translation with some excerpts in French! (from beginners to proficient students)

Emma Bovary, the tragic heroine of Flaubert’s masterwork has become the iconic figure full of idealistic romantic illusions and the consequent discontents.

The wildly passionate Emma is unhappily married to Charles Bovary, a dull and mediocre country doctor. Bored with provincial bourgeois reality she dreams of a better life. She seeks escapes in adulterous affairs, and lives beyond her means running up enormous debts. Ruined, disillusioned and in despair she finally commits suicide by ingesting arsenic.

The class will explore Flaubert’s style and attention to details as well as cultural and social aspects of France in 19th century, such as the French bourgeoisie, and the limited role of women in a male-dominated society.

The course will be conducted in English and French.
Book: Madame Bovary translated by Lydia Davis

Alliance Française de Chicago – Cours de littérature session Printemps 2012