Is Madame Bovary a "great novel"?We have of course been brainwashed to think unreflectively of Flaubert's work as a masterpiece of modern art. But Flaubert's revolutionary position in the history of the novel can largely be explained by his subversion of the tradifioriai criteria of greatness in fiction.The other major novefists of the nineteenth century-think,for. example, of Balzac and Stendhai, of Jane Austea and James, of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy--have trained us to identify novelistic talent with the ability to create characters of moral or intellectual distinction and psychological complexity. The heroes o_f fiction have generally, been what James called per ceptive vessels of experience ; because of their sensitivity and intelligence, they are able to .articulate what we like to think-of as the significance, the "profounder meanings" of human life...

  This exquisite novel tells the story of one of the most compelling heroines in modern literature--Emma Bovary. Unhappily married to a devoted, clumsy provincial doctor, Emma revolts against the ordinariness of her life by pursuing voluptuous dreams of ecstacy and love. But her sensuous and sentimental desires lead her only to suffering, corruption and downfall. A brilliant psychological portrait,MADAME BOVARY searingly depicts the human mind in search of transcendence. Who is Madame Bovary? Flaubert’s answer to this question was superb: "Madame Bovary, cest moi" Acclaimed as a masterpiece upon its publication in 1857, the work catapulted Flaubert to the ranks of the world"s greatest novelists. This volume, with its fine translation by Lowell Bair,a perceptive introduction by Leo Bersani, and a complete supplement of essays and critical comments, is the indispensable MADAME BOVARY.

INTRODUCTION

Dedication

MADAME BOVARY Part One

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

CRITICAL SUPPLEMENT

THE NOVELIST ON HIS ART

CONTEMPORARY VIEWS

EMILE ZOLA: OUSTAVB FLAUBERT

GUY DE MAUPASSANT: BSSAY ON

GUSTAVB PLAUBBRT

HENRY JAMBS: GUSTAVB PLAUBERT

MODERN CRITICAL COMMENT

HARRY LEVIN: MADAMB BOVARY:

THB CATHEDRAL THE HOSPITAL

ERICH AUERBACH: REALISM IN MADAMB BOVARY

VICTOR BROMBBRT: PATTBRN OF IMAGERY:

HER DRWAMS TOO HIGH,HER HOUSE TOO NARROW

MARTIN TURNELL: THE WEAKNESSES OF MADAMB BOVARY

JEAN-PAUL SARTRE:CLASS CONSCIOVSNESS IN FLAUBBRT 

GERARD GENEBTTE:FLAUBERT"S SILENCES

Selected Bibliography