Throughout history, literature has become an effective medium that
             reflects and illustrates social events and experiences of a particular
             period. Furthermore, literary works provide a subjective interpretation of
             experiences that the author/writer has that are also significant in
             studying the kind of society and people that lived in a particular period.
             Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" provides these functions in a literary
             piece; his depiction of life of Western society during the 19th century
             mirrors the rigidly conservative and intolerant nature of the people
             against individuals who are perceived to be outcasts' or non-conformists
             among people who follow strict norms within their society.
             In the novel, Flaubert centers on Madame Bovary, who, after
             witnessing the elegance and high status of the rich and elite class of the
             society, aspired for a life similar to theirs. In the process, Madame
             Bovary wasted her life committing mistakes, like committing adultery, just
             so she would have the wealth she have always dreamed of. Throughout the
             novel, Flaubert focused on illustrating to his audience the highly critical
             society that the Bovary couple lived in; why, in the course of the novel,
             they became victims of the illusion that wealth will come their way
             eventually (especially Madame Bovary). This paper discusses, through a
             character analysis of Charles and Emma Bovary and a study of their life as
             a couple, how the great social divide between the rich and the poor has led
             to the tragic end of Emma Bovary's life.
             The analysis and discussion centers on Part I of the novel, where
             Flaubert shows the transition of Emma Bovary's character from being a
             simple village girl to being a desperate social climber' and eventually,
             Chapter 1 of the novel gives the audience background information about
             Charles Bovary's childhood and the blatant discrimination that he
             ex...