Madame Bovary · Chapter
III explained
Following the death of his first wife, Charles Bovary is consoled by Père Rouault, who encourages him to visit the Bertaux farm.
What happens
Following the death of his first wife, Charles Bovary is consoled by Père Rouault, who encourages him to visit the Bertaux farm. Charles's visits become frequent, and he finds himself increasingly captivated by Emma Rouault. The chapter details the slow, awkward courtship, culminating in Charles's hesitant proposal, which Rouault readily accepts. The engagement is set, with the wedding planned for the following spring after Charles's mourning period. The chapter ends with a description of the lengthy, rustic wedding celebration.
Themes in this chapter
Romanticism vs. Reality
Emma's fantasies of a 'midnight wedding with torches' clash with the practical, lengthy rustic celebration her father arranges. Charles's romantic idealization of Emma is contrasted with Rouault's purely financial and pragmatic view of the marriage.
Dissatisfaction and Boredom
Emma expresses weariness with country life and a longing for town, hinting at the deep-seated dissatisfaction that defines her character, even before her marriage.
Social Class and Aspiration
Rouault's view of farming as a doomed profession and his desire to marry his daughter to a professional (a doctor) illustrates social mobility aspirations. The marriage is a financial transaction as much as a romantic one.
Characters to notice
- Charles Bovary
Grieves his first wife but finds new independence and hope. Becomes infatuated with Emma during his visits to the Bertaux, leading to his awkward but successful proposal.
- Emma Bovary
Shows a mix of coquettishness and melancholy during Charles's visits. Shares stories of her convent life and romantic disappointments, unwittingly fueling Charles's fascination.
- Père Rouault
Consoles Charles and pragmatically encourages the match with Emma, seeing it as a way to offload a daughter unsuited for farm life and settle his own debts.
- Madame Dubuc
Her death is the catalyst for Charles's renewed connection to the Bertaux farm and his eventual courtship of Emma.
Key passages
“The new delight of independence soon made his loneliness bearable.”
Charles finds an unexpected pleasure in his newfound freedom as a widower.
Highlights a moment of personal growth and contentment for Charles, separate from his infatuation with Emma.
“She would have dearly liked, if only for the winter, to live in town, although the length of the fine days made the country perhaps even more wearisome in the summer.”
Emma yearns for the excitement of town life, finding the countryside tedious in all seasons.
An early, clear expression of Emma's restless dissatisfaction and romantic longing for a more sophisticated existence.
“When, therefore, he perceived that Charles’s cheeks grew red if near his daughter... 'If he asks for her,' he said to himself, 'I’ll give her to him.'”
Rouault notices Charles's blushing attraction to Emma and decides he will consent to the marriage if asked.
Demonstrates the father's detached, transactional view of his daughter's marriage.