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Although often considered a realistic novel, Gustave Flaubert sprinkles Madame Bovary with symbolism essential to his message. While doing so he also depicts the desperate situation of many 19th century women and the various reasons for their predicament. The ma ....

Middle of Essay
.... to ask for him and then signal if she agrees. Upon seeing him open the window, Charles knows his life will change forever. Another prevalent symbol in the novel is the mentioning of a closed window. This mark predicts impending danger. One of the first occurrences of a closed window is when Charles and Emma are alone at Les Bertaux before the proposal. Here Flaubert foreshadows future friction between the two. After marriage, Emma waves goodbye to Charles as he departs for work every morning through the closed window. Their marriage soon turns sour and Emma seeks other sources of love. Symbolism also appears in the form of windowpanes. Th ....