# II: The Heroine explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Gustave Flaubert.

## What happens

Félicité begins her service for Madame Aubain, caring for her children Paul and Virginia. She adapts to her new life, finding happiness despite her initial anxiety. The chapter depicts her daily routines, interactions with visitors like the Marquis de Grémanville and Monsieur Bourais, and her heroic confrontation with a bull to protect the family. The incident leads to Virginia's nervous condition and a trip to Trouville for saltwater bathing.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class and Social Hierarchy

Félicité's position as a servant is contrasted with the gentility of Madame Aubain and her visitors, highlighting class distinctions.

### Suffering and Endurance

Félicité endures her past sadness and the bull attack with quiet heroism, embodying endurance.

## Character check-ins

### Félicité

Begins service for Madame Aubain, cares for the children, and heroically protects the family from a bull.

### Madame Aubain

Hires Félicité, manages the household, and is rescued from the bull by Félicité.

### Paul

Seven-year-old son of Madame Aubain, sent to college at Caën.

### Virginia

Four-year-old daughter, develops a nervous condition after the bull incident.

### Monsieur Bourais

Retired lawyer who manages Madame Aubain's estates and gives the children an engraved geography.

### The Marquis de Grémanville

Ruined uncle of Madame Aubain who visits at dinnertime with his poodle.

## Key lines

> she packed all her belongings in a handkerchief and started for Pont-l’Evêque

She gathered her few possessions and set off for Pont-l’Evêque.

_Félicité leaves the farm to seek new employment._

> Félicité turned around and threw patches of grass in his eyes. He hung his head, shook his horns and bellowed with fury.

Félicité threw clumps of grass at the bull's eyes, causing him to pause and bellow in anger.

_Félicité's brave defense against the bull._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se/chapters/ii-the-heroine
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_22_se/chapters