Mme. Bovary: Ch. 8

Some Words You Ought to Know:

Marquis: A Nobleman of hereditary rank. So he did not necessarily earn his position, it was given to him by default. This doesn't say much about a Marquis' work ethic or character, only to his so-called "pedigree" and the influence his last name might have.

Marquise: Words ending with an "E" in French should give you a clue that the subject is female. The Marquise is the Marquis' (sans "E") wife.

Vicomte = Viscount: Lower to middle ranking nobleman. A non-hereditary title.

Onward!

Charles and Emma are invited to spend a weekend with the Marquis d'Andervilliers, a patient of the doctor's. They are only invited though, after the Marquis sizes up Emma to make sure she is a. pretty enough and b. refined enough (aka doesn't act like a peasant).

The whole chapter describes the happenings at this weekend event. 

At the first dinner, there are four very interesting and singular observations that Emma makes.

The Four Very Interesting and Singular Observations

1. "Madam Bovary was surprised to notice that the several of the ladies had failed to put their gloves in their wine glasses" (Flaubert, 54).

Is it common practice for the genteel to ruin their gloves? Perhaps it is a sign that you are wealthy enough to put your gloves in peril without worry. Some people need to flaunt their wealth I suppose. The fact that some of the women do not partake in this might represent that not everyone at the table is as well to do as the Marquis.

2. "This was the marquis' father-in-law, the old duc de Laverdiere - he was said to have been Marie-Antoinette's lover between Monsieur de Coigny and Monsieur de Lauzun" (Flaubert, 54-55).

This not only puts into perspective the time-frame that this story takes place (about 40ish years after the beheading of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette), but it also alludes to the current political atmosphere in which the French are living.

I am sure I'm not the first to tell you, but after the monumental beheading of the French Monarchy in the late 1700's, France was thrown into many years and phases of political unrest.  At what point of this tumultuous history is this story taking place and how does that influence the actions of the characters and their interactions with each other?

It goes without saying that the common people of France were not big fans of Antoinette (exhibit a: "Let them eat cake"). So it comes as a surprise that Emma, a girl straight off the farm, looks at the duc de Laverdiere with awe rather than scorn, "Emma's eyes kept coming back to this pendulous-lipped old man as though he were someone extraordinary, someone august. He had lived at court! He had slept with a queen!" (Flaubert, 55). This reaction could indicate that Emma is still far too young and immature to be treated like an adult; that she is dazzled by the celebrity status rather than acknowledge the hand that the old Duc had in partaking in Royal Court. 
But this reaction could also represent that the resentment felt toward the monarchy had faded at that point; that now the idea of royalty was looked upon with wonder and nostalgia.

3. "Madam Bovary turned her head and saw peasants peering in from the garden, their faces pressed against the glass" (Flaubert, 58).

Flaubert felt the need to bring attention to the class system in France. Upon seeing the peasants, Emma thinks about her old life on the farm. Now that she is hanging out with big-shot, her humble childhood seems so far away. Is she loosing touch with her roots? Is she getting carried away by this new lifestyle? 

4. "A lady near her dropped her fan just as a gentleman was passing. - The gentleman bowed, and as he stretched out his arm, Emma saw the lady toss something into his hat, something white, folded in the shape of a triangle" (Flaubert, 58).

This is never explained and I have no idea what in the world this could be alluding to. Is the lady trying to pick the guy up? Is it her way of slip him her telephone or hotel room number? Could this be showing that the people in this group/in this class are comfortable cheating on their spouses?
Who knows?


There is one character that seems to have left an impression on Emma in this chapter...

The Vicomte

We get no other name for this character. Just The Vicomte. How mysterious!
The dashing Vicomte convinces Emma to waltz with him, "They started out slowly, then quickend their step" (Flaubert, 59). How very much like love! At some point, Emma's gown get's caught and, "For a moment their legs were all but intertwined; he looked down at her, she up at him; a paralyzing numbness came over her, and she stopped. - There, out of breath, she almost fell, and for an instant she leaned her head against his chest." (Flaubert, 59).
This is the first sign of intimacy that we see Emma react to.
Later, on her way home with Charles, they pass another carriage and it is noted that Emma recognizes (hones in on?) The Vicomte amongst the group riding in it.

Home Again Finnigan

While at the Marquis' home, it is apparent that Emma enjoys the finer things in life. She associates with the rich and longs to be more like them. "Her glance lingered on the windows of the various rooms as she tried to imagine which of them were occupied by the people she had seen the night before. She longed to know all about their lives, to penetrate into them, to be part of them" (Flaubert, 60). Just like her perception of love, it seems that Emma is romanticizing what it is like to be wealthy. She wants the balls and the fancy lifestyle, but she might not be putting into perspective all that goes into living with noblemen.

Having to return home, Emma is extremely grouchy. From her actions, we can tell that she is comparing her life to the Marquis' and she is not satisfied with the difference.
The events at the weekend have made her aware of how "The Other Half" lives, and now that she has had a taste, she wants it all for herself. Weeks pass and her discontent grows.

In Summation...

This chapter introduces two very important factors.
1. Lifestyle of the Rich and the Famous (they're always complaining, always complainin')
Emma has her first exposure to an elite group and class that she has only ever read about. Through her marriage she upgraded from farmer's daughter to doctor's wife, but now she is even more dissatisfied with her marriage than before. Why can't she have romance and money? It seems so within grasp yet so unattainable at the same time.
2. The Viconte
Whether we see this character later in the story or not (but I'm sure we will), the interaction between The Viconte and Emma shows a different side of Emma. We know that she is a very emotionally-driven person and her connection with The Viconte stirs something within her. She feels comfortable being affectionate with him.
For a second you're happy for her. You're intrigued. Has she finally found love?
But then you remember, she's married! She should not be allowing herself to feel or behave this way!

How these two things will later affect the story, we have yet to see.



More romantic attempts made by Charles that go unnoticed: The list goes on...
"'You? Dance?' Emma cried.
'Of course!'
'But you're crazy everybody would laugh. You mustn't. It's not suitable for a doctor, anyway,' she added. Charles said no more. He walked up and down waiting for Emma to be ready" (Flaubert, 55).

"Charles came up to kiss her on the shoulder. 'Don't!' she cried. 'You're rumpling me'" (Flaubert, 56).