Madame Bovary: Nontraditional Style of Writing Expression French Culture

Madame Bovary, written by Gustave Flaubert, is a French novel from the 19th century that represents the first step into the modernization of classical literature. The act of adultery is introduced into the world of literature for the first time and is criticized by many. In the novel, the life of a French woman is symbolized through the elegance and controversial topics discussed. Flauberts, Madame Bovary, is an example of a non-traditional style of writing and expresses the French culture with character and originality. Gustave Flaubert is know as the first modern writer because of his bravery to write about controversial topics that had not been discussed in the literary world. (Foster 4) Flaubert grew up in a small town where he found inspiration for his writings threw the people he met and the experiences he had. As a child, his mother left his father and he began to feel lost. This made him want to start activities including theater, reading, and writing. This was his first experience he had with literature and drama. (Davis 2) He then made friends with an elderly couple that seemed to have a marriage like his parents, before it went wrong. (Davis 3) Watching their marriage prompted the thought of adultery. He wondered if that was why his mom left him and his dad and he also started to feel really passionate about this contentious subject. (Davis 2) The original plan was for him to go to law school and become a wealthy lawyer with a perfect life. (Davis 1) At the age of twenty-three Flaubert began to have epileptic attacks. He was prevented from following through with his plan because the physical weakness he possessed. (Davis 3) Having so much down time and nothing to do made him feel the need to write about his honest emotions. He says his heart guided him to France where he fell in love with a woman that was married. This is when he knew that adultery must to be represented in his writings some way. (Davis 2) Flaubert was known for having thoughts