Love Vs. Passion In Madame Bov

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As for Emma’s part in the marriage, she has no say whatsoever. She is given to Charles by her father in exchange for a dowry. So, before she is even married, she is already treated like chattel by the men in her life.

Their treatment of her by men lend in part to her misery. The monotony of daily life as well as her own idealistic demeanor lead to her considering taking a lover. Leon, a young villager, catches her fancy and takes an interest in her as well. But she does not give in to her desires, perhaps out of loyalty to her husband, even though she obviously does not love him. In fact, she “detests”(p. 122) Charles. But still, she does not commit adultery with Leon.

Leon certainly does not love Emma. He is merely physically attracted to
her, and is, for lack of a better term, only trying to bed her. After his efforts fail, he decides to move to Paris. He was “weary of loving without any result.”(p. 83) Emma is crushed ...

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