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Symbolic Bovine - Papers Online

Symbolic Bovine

Although often considered a realistic novel, Gustave Flaubert sprinkles Madame Bovary with symbolism essential to his message. While doing so he also depicts the desperate situation of many 19th century women and the various reasons for their predicament. The main character, Madame Emma Bovary, is a hopeless romantic continually in search of a love she will never find. Symbolic references such as an open or closed window indicate the future of Madame Bovary and the other main characters.
A symbol found in many places in Madame Bovary is the presence of an open window. This symbol signifies that a major change is approaching. An early occurrence of this happens just before Charles ...

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is the mentioning of a closed window. This mark predicts impending danger. One of the first occurrences of a closed window is when Charles and Emma are alone at Les Bertaux before the proposal. Here Flaubert foreshadows future friction between the two. After marriage, Emma waves goodbye to Charles as he departs for work every morning through the closed window. Their marriage soon turns sour and Emma seeks other sources of love.
Symbolism also appears in the form of windowpanes. These panes represent a separation between Emma and a different way of life. Windowpanes are mentioned often during the ball at the chateau. First, Emma mingles with guests while peasants admire her, pressing their faces against the panes to get closer. Then, as the heat generated from all the people overcomes Emma, the servants begin breaking windows to let in fresh air. Emma feels as though the barrier between her life and the life of the upper class has been shattered. Later, Emma is bored ...

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Symbolic Bovine. (2005, October 22). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolic-Bovine/35283

"Symbolic Bovine." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 22 Oct. 2005. Web. 6 Jan. 2026. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Symbolic-Bovine/35283>

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 10/22/2005 12:36:29 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 439
Pages: 2

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