Madame Bovary Questions for Study and Discussion

Madame Bovary is one of the greatest works by Gustave Flaubert. Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

• What is important about the title?
  
  
• What are the conflicts in Madame Bovary? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) are in the novel?
  
  
• How does Gustave Flaubert reveal character in Madame Bovary?
  
  
• What are some themes in the novel? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
  
  
• What are some symbols in Madame Bovary? How do they relate to the plot and characters?
  
  
• Is Emma consistent in her actions? Is she a fully developed character? How? Why?
  
  
• How well does Flaubert portray the emotions of a woman?
  
  
• How well does Emma relate to the other characters in the novel?
  
  
• Do you find the characters likable? Are the characters persons you would want to meet?
  
  
• Does the story end the way you expected? How? Why?
  
  
• What is the central/primary purpose of the story? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
  
  
• Do you consider this novel a work of feminist literature?
  
  
• How essential is the setting to the story? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?
  
  
• What is the role of women in the text? How are mothers represented? What about single/independent women? Could Emma ever have survived as a single woman?
  
  
• Would you recommend this novel to a friend?