Among the many literary figures who helped shape 19th-century French literature, Gustave Flaubert stands out for his precise style, dedication to realism, and influence on the modern novel. Flaubert was a perfectionist who often spent weeks working on a single page, aiming for what he called le mot juste, or the perfect word. His works reflect a deep concern for the conflict between illusion and reality, the frustrations of daily life, and the complexities of the human psyche. Exploring the works of Gustave Flaubert reveals not only the development of French literary realism but also a profound critique of society and individual ambition.
Major Works of Gustave Flaubert
Madame Bovary (1857)
Madame Bovary is perhaps Gustave Flaubert’s most famous and influential novel. It tells the tragic story of Emma Bovary, a woman who longs for romantic excitement and luxury, only to be crushed by the constraints of provincial life and her own illusions. Married to the dull country doctor Charles Bovary, Emma seeks fulfillment through extramarital affairs and reckless spending. Eventually, her debts and disillusionment lead her to take her own life.
This novel was groundbreaking in its exploration of female desire, disillusionment, and the oppressive nature of social norms. Flaubert’s clinical narrative style and objective tone shocked readers at the time and led to a trial for immorality. Though he was acquitted, the controversy only boosted the novel’s popularity. Madame Bovary remains a cornerstone of literary realism and a vivid portrayal of the cost of unrealistic dreams.
Sentimental Education (1869)
Flaubert’s Sentimental Education chronicles the life of Frédéric Moreau, a young man who falls in love with an older, married woman named Madame Arnoux. The story is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution of 1848 and captures the fading hopes of an entire generation.
Unlike the intense emotional tragedy of Madame Bovary, Sentimental Education is marked by irony and disillusionment. Frédéric’s ambition to make something great of his life dissolves into a series of half-hearted romantic entanglements and political failures. Flaubert presents a world where ideals are compromised, and passion is diluted by inaction. The novel is both a love story and a social commentary, painting a bleak yet honest picture of ambition, love, and wasted potential.
Salammbô (1862)
Turning away from contemporary France, Flaubert immersed himself in ancient Carthage for Salammbô, a historical novel set in the third century BCE. The novel depicts the Mercenary War following the First Punic War and tells the story of Salammbô, the beautiful daughter of the Carthaginian general Hamilcar Barca.
This work stands out for its rich and exotic descriptions, intense violence, and vivid historical imagination. While not as psychologically focused as his other novels, Salammbô demonstrates Flaubert’s remarkable ability to reconstruct distant worlds and customs. The novel also reflects his disdain for sentimentality and his belief in the brutal nature of history and humanity.
The Temptation of Saint Anthony (1874)
Flaubert worked on The Temptation of Saint Anthony for years before publishing a final version. The book is a dramatic and philosophical exploration of the religious visions experienced by Saint Anthony of Egypt. Structured more like a play than a traditional novel, it presents Anthony as he faces temptations from pagan gods, heretics, and his own imagination.
This work is highly symbolic and filled with obscure historical and theological references. It departs from realism and ventures into spiritual and surreal territory. While not as widely read as Madame Bovary, it shows Flaubert’s wide intellectual interests and his desire to wrestle with eternal philosophical themes such as faith, doubt, and the pursuit of truth.
Short Stories and Other Writings
Three Tales (Trois Contes, 1877)
Three Tales is a collection of short stories that mark a return to simplicity and elegance in Flaubert’s writing. The three stories included are
- A Simple Heart (Un cÅur simple)This is the touching story of Félicité, a poor but devoted servant whose life is marked by selfless love and suffering. It is one of Flaubert’s most accessible and emotionally resonant works.
- The Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller (La légende de Saint Julien l’Hospitalier)A medieval fable about sin, redemption, and destiny. Its rich narrative voice reflects Flaubert’s fascination with myth and legend.
- HerodiasA retelling of the biblical story of Salome and John the Baptist. The tale merges religious history with artistic narrative, showing Flaubert’s ability to blend fiction with theological drama.
Literary Style and Impact
Precision and Realism
Flaubert’s writing is known for its precision, clarity, and objectivity. He believed that the writer’s personal emotions should not intrude into the narrative, and his commitment to finding the exact word or phrase defined his meticulous process. This commitment to linguistic accuracy and detachment made him a pioneer of literary realism.
Critique of Bourgeois Society
Many of Flaubert’s works carry an underlying critique of the bourgeoisie, or middle class, whom he saw as shallow, complacent, and morally hypocritical. Characters like Charles Bovary and Frédéric Moreau often embody this mediocrity, trapped in lives of quiet desperation. Through them, Flaubert voiced his disdain for conformity and conventional values.
Influence on Modern Literature
Flaubert had a significant influence on writers such as James Joyce, Marcel Proust, and Franz Kafka. His pursuit of psychological depth, narrative objectivity, and formal perfection shaped the evolution of the modern novel. His emphasis on character development over plot inspired later literary movements like naturalism and modernism.
Legacy and Relevance
Gustave Flaubert remains a towering figure in world literature. His novels continue to be studied for their psychological insight, stylistic mastery, and unflinching portrayal of human flaws. Madame Bovary is regularly included in lists of the greatest novels ever written, and his other works offer valuable insights into different facets of life, history, and belief.
In today’s world, where the tension between dreams and reality still resonates deeply, Flaubert’s exploration of disillusionment and human desire remains timeless. His works challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths, reflect on their own ambitions, and consider the role of art in expressing the human condition.
The works of Gustave Flaubert cover a remarkable range of subjects from the quiet tragedy of a dissatisfied housewife to the grandeur of ancient wars and the depths of spiritual vision. His relentless pursuit of artistic perfection set a new standard for novelists, and his commitment to realism influenced generations of writers. Whether one is drawn to the passion of Madame Bovary, the disillusionment of Sentimental Education, or the poetic simplicity of Three Tales, Flaubert’s body of work offers enduring insight into the complexities of life and literature.