Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Course Overview
This course will provide an in-depth analysis of Madame Bovary to meet curriculum and exam criterions. We will start with a brief introduction to Flaubert, 19th century France and literary realism. We will then focus on understanding Flaubert’s views on the bourgeoisie, and how it is represented in Madame Bovary through key themes, literary devices and characterisation.

The student will then be guided through careful analysis of the works, including guided annotations which will help the student to not only pick up on literary devices employed, but the effects of the devices individually and in tandem. We will highlight how the themes of the failures of the bourgeoisie, the limitation of language and the constraints of being a woman are presented in the text. In depth character analysis will help the student gain a deeper understanding of the characters, their motivations and how their depictions help Flaubert further his purpose. We will also focus on how Flaubert’s ideas are presented in the text and analyse Flaubert's writing style.

We will also pay special attention to literary analyses in written form, and as such the student will be guided and coached to be able to compose their own detailed literary analyses and written arguments. Focus will be given to key quotes, themes, motifs and literary devices throughout the text. By the end of this course, students will have a greater understanding of Flaubert’s work and be able to apply their knowledge confidently to analyse and write about the work, while meeting curriculum criterions.