Madame Bovary Reviews: How Does the Novel Depict Female Struggle?
The novel presents female struggle very effectively. Emma Bovary's story is a prime example. She is in a loveless marriage and feels trapped. The lack of opportunities for women to have an education or a career at that time means she has to find meaning in other ways. Her pursuit of love and luxury outside of her marriage is her way of rebelling against the limited role that society has assigned to her. However, she is ultimately punished for her actions, which shows the harsh reality of female struggle in a patriarchal society.
The novel depicts female struggle mainly through Emma's character. She is restricted by the social norms of her time. For example, as a woman, she has limited options in marriage and in life in general. She is expected to be a dutiful wife, but her dreams and desires go far beyond that. Emma's attempts to break free from these constraints, like having affairs and seeking a more exciting life, are her ways of struggling against the limitations placed on her as a woman.