For those who have read Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert, then you already know that Emma Bovary was a beautiful woman who constantly lusted for a glamorous life she was never meant to have. In her most cherished stash of possessions, she owned fashion magazines so she could keep up with the latest trends. She felt that she did not belong to the society she married into. In her mind, she lived in a fantasy world that consisted of romance, materialistic riches, and superior status.
She had a rather difficult time in maintaining happiness throughout her life. Being a woman in an era when men took charge over virtually everything was a challenge. She couldn't exactly go to college and make tons of money after graduation. Her motivation in living a better life could only be won by winning the charms of well-to-do men. It was a tedious task in hiding love interests, while pretending to be a loving wife.
The closest she ever encountered to living the glamorous life is when she and her husband attended a ball, where she momentarily mingled with noblemen and women. The contrast of peasants who gawked through the large windows reminded her of where she originally came from. This upset her, especially being in the presence of her ordinary and embarrassing husband, Charles Bovary. When normal people moved on with their lives, Emma continued to obsess over that memorable night. But what really constitutes as normal? I doubt anyone knows the answer to that question.
It is no secret that most everyone on this planet desires a fulfilled life. While most people climb up the ladder of success or importance in order to achieve greatness, some people do not know when to stop climbing. When this happens, people fall. Poor Emma Bovary tried to climb so high, but she could not even manage to get to the top. I find that such longing for a comfortable life hasn't really changed much throughout the years. We are all destined for greatness... it's a matter of how we get there, I suppose.
She had a rather difficult time in maintaining happiness throughout her life. Being a woman in an era when men took charge over virtually everything was a challenge. She couldn't exactly go to college and make tons of money after graduation. Her motivation in living a better life could only be won by winning the charms of well-to-do men. It was a tedious task in hiding love interests, while pretending to be a loving wife.
The closest she ever encountered to living the glamorous life is when she and her husband attended a ball, where she momentarily mingled with noblemen and women. The contrast of peasants who gawked through the large windows reminded her of where she originally came from. This upset her, especially being in the presence of her ordinary and embarrassing husband, Charles Bovary. When normal people moved on with their lives, Emma continued to obsess over that memorable night. But what really constitutes as normal? I doubt anyone knows the answer to that question.
It is no secret that most everyone on this planet desires a fulfilled life. While most people climb up the ladder of success or importance in order to achieve greatness, some people do not know when to stop climbing. When this happens, people fall. Poor Emma Bovary tried to climb so high, but she could not even manage to get to the top. I find that such longing for a comfortable life hasn't really changed much throughout the years. We are all destined for greatness... it's a matter of how we get there, I suppose.
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