# II explained — Madame Bovary

> Chapter companion for Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

## What happens

Charles Bovary's first wife, Héloïse Dubuc, grows suspicious and jealous of his visits to the Rouault farm. After a series of arguments and financial revelations about her diminished fortune, Héloïse dies suddenly. Later, Charles is called to the Bertaux farm to set the broken leg of Père Rouault, where he meets and is captivated by his daughter, Emma.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dissatisfaction and Boredom

Emma expresses dislike for the country life she is trapped in, foreshadowing her central struggle.

### Social Class and Aspiration

Héloïise mocks Emma's pretensions to being a 'town miss,' highlighting tensions around perceived social climbing. Emma's convent education marks her as above her station.

## Character check-ins

### Charles Bovary

Obeys his jealous wife's demands but secretly longs for Emma. His professional visit to the Bertaux marks his first, detailed encounter with Emma Rouault.

### Madame Dubuc

Charles's first wife. Her jealousy over his visits to the Bertaux escalates into open accusations. Her death is sudden, freeing Charles.

### Emma Bovary

Introduced as Mademoiselle Rouault. Charles observes her beauty, especially her eyes, and her cultivated skills, which contrast with her rustic surroundings.

### Père Rouault

The patient with a broken leg. His comfortable farm and status as a well-to-do farmer are established.

## Key lines

> Her real beauty was in her eyes. Although brown, they seemed black because of the lashes, and her look came at you frankly, with a candid boldness.

Charles is struck by Emma's direct and bold gaze, which he finds to be her most captivating feature.

_Highlights the moment of Charles's initial attraction and Emma's compelling presence._

> So it is for this... that he puts on his new waistcoat at the risk of spoiling it with the rain. Ah! that woman! That woman!

Héloïse realizes Charles's extra care in dressing is for another woman, fueling her jealous rage.

_Demonstrates the wife's jealousy and the mundane details that betray Charles's growing interest._

> Mademoiselle Rouault did not at all like the country, especially now that she had to look after the farm almost alone.

Emma confesses her dissatisfaction with rural life and her burdensome responsibilities.

_Early indication of Emma's romantic discontent and feeling of being trapped._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/madame_bovary_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters