In Madam Bovary there are open criticisms by Flaubert from the beginning of the novel towards class, especially the middle class, or bourgeoisie, the Bovary’s belonged to. At that period, the bourgeoisie was beginning to experience an exponential growth in their wealth and their power, feeling as if they were nobles. This is Emma Bovary’s ultimate desire and what eventually leads to the demise of the Bovary’s, so consequently this means that class is the reason for the fall of the Bovary’s.
On Madame Bovary, the class of characters may be distinguished various times by what he or she eats. In the novel the refinement of the characters are shown on what and how each character yet, taking as an example Charles sloppy manners if compared to the refined manners at the guests at the ball.
Flaubert further criticizes the middle class when adding the character of Homais, an obnoxious doctor, who thinks knows everything there is to know. His unlikable personality shuns the readers away from the middle class. Lhereux can also be considered part of a criticism to the middle class if taken into account that the bourgeoisie, which formed most of the middle class, were in most part merchants, and Lhereux treacherous, scheming and villainous nature is one another example of Flaubert’s criticism to class.
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I think that the main difference between the way social classes are approached in both is that Flaubert has a critical attitude towards the bourgeoisie and think that their aspirations are wrong. In Wuthering Heights, it doesn’t seem like any class, lower or high, is being criticized (at least not by the author). It is true however that the narrator Lockwood has prejudices towards the lower class, but he is proven to be mistaken when he talks to Nelly. He is surprised at finding out that she has read practically every book at the library and he even compliments her on her speech which he says is actually comprehensible. Joseph however is portrayed very differently, as is Heathcliff. Joseph is a servant, is rude, obnoxious and is losing his mind with age. He speaks with a dialect according to his social class, but at least there is not the impression that Brontë is making fun of him. Heathcliff then is an orphan and came to Wuthering Heights completely uncivilized. With time, he learned to hide and control some of his emotions, however, as love gets the best of him, he is actually still a savage in most aspects. Even if he became rich and looks like a gentleman, he is still the same on the inside.
ReplyDeleteThe aspirations however of the bourgeoisie in Madame Bovary and those of the lower and higher social classes are the same—they all want to get richer and improve their status. Even Catherine feels like she still has to become the greatest lady of the land (as if what she had already wasn’t enough) and forgoes Heathcliff for Edgar. As we can see in both novels, this usually doesn’t lead to any good, as Emma ends up bankrupt and Catherine away from her love; both are unhappy.
-- Carine