Madame Bovary Summary

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Here you will find a Madame Bovary summary (Gustave Flaubert's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Madame Bovary Summary Overview

The story begins with Charles Bovary, an underachieving and unremarkable young man who becomes a second-rate country doctor. His mother arranges his marriage to a widow who dies soon after, leaving him with less wealth than anticipated. Charles, however, quickly falls for Emma, a patient's daughter, and they wed. Emma has always dreamt of a fairytale romance, but married life in the small town of Tostes disappoints her. When she becomes pregnant, Charles hopes that a change of scenery, specifically a move to Yonville, will lift her spirits. In Yonville, they meet Homais, an egotistical pharmacist, and Leon, a law clerk who shares Emma's disdain for rural life. Emma gives birth to a daughter, Berthe, but motherhood isn't the joy she expected. She harbors romantic feelings for Leon, but guilt convinces her to dedicate herself to her wifely duties. Leon eventually leaves for Paris, sending Emma into a deep depression. A wealthy neighbor, Rodolphe, sees her vulnerability as an opportunity to seduce her. They begin an affair, which the townsfolk gossip about, but Charles remains oblivious. His professional reputation crumbles after a failed surgery, pushing Emma further into her affair and debt. Rodolphe ends their relationship, devastating Emma and leaving her on the brink of death. Upon her recovery, Charles finds himself in a financial hole due to Emma's spending and her medical bills. He takes her to the opera in Rouen, where they encounter Leon. The old lovers start their affair again, pushing Emma to accrue even more debt by borrowing from the shrewd moneylender Lheureux. Emma becomes careless about hiding her infidelity, and eventually grows bored with Leon. As Lheureux demands repayment, Emma becomes desperate and even offers to rekindle her affair with Rodolphe for money. When he refuses, she consumes arsenic in a fit of despair and dies painfully. Charles discovers her infidelity through her letters, leading him to die of heartbreak. Their daughter Berthe is left to work in a cotton mill.

part 1 chapter 1

The story inaugurates with Charles Bovary's arrival at a village school. Charles, a farmer's son of an ex-military surgeon, leads an ordinary childhood under the watchful eyes of his mother, whose affection counterbalances the disrepute of his father—a financial incompetent and a womanizer. Charles, despite his mother's indulgence, proves to be a good-natured but uninspired and lethargic child. His parents eventually send him to medical school. Instead of focusing on his studies, Charles habitually skips classes to play dominoes, leading to his initial failure in the medical exam. This fact remains hidden from his father for years. However, Charles eventually passes the exam on his second attempt and becomes a doctor. His mother organizes a practice for him in Tostes village and secures a marriage for him with a rich, elder widow named Heloise Dubuc. Heloise, while abundant with reprimands and complaints, shows little affection towards Charles.

part 1 chapter 2

In the early hours, Charles is summoned to a remote farm to mend a simple broken bone. During this visit, he becomes captivated by the farmer's daughter, Emma, a convent-educated young woman dissatisfied with rural living. Her beauty compels Charles to frequent visits, far beyond what was required for the patient's recovery. His wife, Heloise, grows suspicious and investigates, learning that Emma is often seen as pretentious. Jealous of Emma’s beauty and refinement, Heloise pressures Charles into vowing never to visit again. He complies, but soon discovers that Heloise's lawyer has swindled most of her wealth, revealing that she had misrepresented her financial status before they got married. This revelation leads to a fierce dispute between Charles’s parents, and a humiliated Heloise suddenly dies a week later.

part 1 chapter 3

Following Heloise's demise, Charles forms a friendly bond with Rouault and frequently visits his farmhouse. He finds himself drawn to Rouault's daughter, Emma, as he observes her daily activities and engages her in talks about her weary country life. Despite not understanding the depth of her words, Charles falls for Emma. Rouault, known for his heavy drinking and poor farm management, agrees to the match with this gentle yet respectable doctor. After the agreement, Rouault asks Charles to step out as he goes to seek Emma's consent, using a previously decided sign of slamming a shutter against the wall to communicate her approval. The duo must then patiently wait for Charles's period of mourning to end, during which they focus on wedding preparations. Although Emma dreams of a midnight wedding filled with romance, she has to compromise with a conventional ceremony and a lively festivity.

part 1 chapter 4

Once Charles's grieving period for his late wife concludes in the spring, he ties the knot with Emma. Their nuptials are a grand affair at Rouault’s farm, with attendees sporting elegant attire they're unaccustomed to. Following the ceremony, an extensive, jubilant procession heads back to the farm, appearing "like one long coloured scarf that undulated across the fields." The celebration continues with an extravagant, all-night dinner featuring a grand three-tiered wedding cake. Post their wedding night, Charles can barely contain his happiness. Emma, on the other hand, accepts her newly-married status with composure. As they leave for their new life in Tostes, Rouault gets nostalgic about his own joyous wedding day.

part 1 chapter 5

Once settled in Tostes, Emma scrutinizes her new dwelling, prompting Charles to discard his deceased wife's preserved wedding bouquet from their bedroom. Emma contemplates minor enhancements for their home while Charles revels in his love-filled, blissful stupor. However, Emma is curiously unhappy with her new existence—she anticipated that matrimony would guide her towards a romantic utopia. Rather, she senses her reality falls short of the lofty ideals she derived from love stories: “Before marriage she thought herself in love; but since the happiness that should have followed failed to come, she must, she thought, have been mistaken. And Emma tried to find out what one meant exactly in life by the words bliss, passion, ecstasy, that had seemed to her so beautiful in books.”

part 1 chapter 6

Emma recalls her days in the convent where she received her education. Initially, she was deeply involved in religious practices, with the same fervor she had for romantic novels and sentimental songs. Her mother's death led her to dive deeper into her sorrow. She took satisfaction in viewing herself as the epitome of pure sadness. Yet, she soon grew weary of her grief and left the convent. She relished her time on her father's farm briefly, but quickly became dissatisfied and repulsed by her existence. Disillusioned, she encountered Charles, but he failed to offer the joyful respite she yearned for.

part 1 chapter 7

While enjoying her honeymoon in Tostes, Emma feels somewhat let down, wishing instead to be in an idyllic Swiss chalet. She perceives her husband as boring and unexciting, her annoyance growing due to his apparent indifference towards a more adventurous existence. Charles, on the other hand, remains deeply in love with Emma. His mother pays a visit, despising Emma for captivating her son's affection. Following her departure, Emma attempts to cultivate feelings for Charles, but her disappointment prevails. She contemplates the rationale behind her marriage. Later, a patient of Charles, Marquis d’Andervilliers, extends an invitation to the couple for a ball at his grand residence.

part 1 chapter 8

Emma, dazzled by the opulence of the ball, feels disgraced by her husband's lack of sophistication. She finds herself amidst the high-class nobility, including an elderly man who had been a lover of Marie Antoinette. When the heat in the ballroom becomes unbearable, a servant smashes the windows for ventilation. Emma catches sight of the commoners peeping in and is struck by a contrast, her rural upbringing now seems distant. A viscount chooses her for a dance, igniting feelings of resentment for the privileged life she feels she was denied. The same viscount overtakes them on their ride home, inadvertently dropping a cigar box that Emma salvages. Upon returning to Tostes, Emma's discontentment is directed at everyone around her.

part 1 chapter 9

Emma, engrossed in her fancy magazines and cigar case, dreams of a lavish lifestyle in Paris, resulting in her feeling downcast and miserable. Her discontent manifests as unpredictable behaviour towards her husband, Charles, despite his flourishing professional life. Emma's distaste for his lack of sophistication and dull nature heightens her restlessness and unhappiness, eventually causing her to fall sick. To try and improve her health, Charles proposes a move to Yonville, a place in need of a doctor. Before the move, Emma discovers that she is expecting a child. She discards her withered bridal bouquet into the fire, watching as it goes up in flames while packing.

part 2 chapter 1

The commencement of the second segment paints a picture of Yonville-l’Abbaye, the destination of the Bovarys' relocation. The most memorable landmarks of the town include the Lion d’Or accommodation, Monsieur Homais' apothecary, and the burial ground which doubles as a potato field for the digger, Lestiboudois. The town's inhabitants eagerly anticipate the late-night arrival of the conveyance. The coach, tardy due to Emma’s little canine breaking free and fleeing during transit, finally arrives carrying Charles and Emma.

part 2 chapter 2

Charles has an associate in Yonville, the arrogant, annoying pharmacist Homais, who shares a meal at the local inn with the recently arrived Bovarys. Homais's lodger, a junior law assistant named Leon, is also included. As Charles and Homais swap medicine tales, Emma and Leon find common ground during the meal. Emma learns that like her, Leon is a fan of romantic literature and high-minded principles. This shared interest draws them closer, leaving them with the impression that their discourse is deeply meaningful. Upon reaching their new home, Emma nurtures hope that her existence will improve and her discontent will finally fade away.

part 2 chapter 3

Leon can't get Emma out of his mind. Meanwhile, Charles's medical work is off to a sluggish beginning, yet he's thrilled about the impending birth of their child. When the baby arrives, it's a girl, much to Emma's disappointment. They call her Berthe and Charles's parents reside with them for a month post baptism celebration. On a particular day, Emma chooses to check on the baby at the wet nurse's home, who requests some additional comforts. Feeling faint on her way, Emma asks Leon to escort her. This sparks gossip in the town about a potential love affair. Post their visit to the wet nurse, Emma and Leon wander beside the river, where they share a moment of intense romantic emotions.

part 2 chapter 4

Throughout the cold season, the Bovary family frequent the Homais residence during Sunday nights. Emma and Leon cultivate a deep connection during these visits. Their mutual attraction is evident, yet both lack the bravery to confess their feelings. They share small presents, leading the local folks to believe that they are in a romantic relationship.

part 2 chapter 5

Emma observes Leon, Homais, and Charles and concludes that her husband's lack of distinction repulses her. She becomes aware of Leon's affection for her, and subsequent encounters between them are filled with unease and awkwardness. Emma's constant anxiety leads to her losing weight and she begins to view herself as a martyr, restrained from love by the confines of her marriage. She pretends to be a dedicated wife to Charles and brings their daughter, Berthe, back from the wet nurse. Yet, her longing for Leon soon overpowers her wish to remain noble, prompting feelings of self-pity. She succumbs to tears, attributing all her misery to Charles. One day, Monsieur Lheureux, a local shopkeeper, insinuates that he could provide a loan should she need one.

part 2 chapter 6

Upon hearing the church bells, Emma seeks solace at the church. However, Abbé Bournisien, the curate, is too busy with his own issues and his unruly catechism class to pay attention to her despair. Later, Emma, in a state of agitation, accidentally pushes her daughter Berthe, causing her to fall and get hurt. Emma insists it was an accident. Despite her panic, Charles manages to soothe her. Meanwhile, Leon makes plans to move to Paris for his law studies. His love for Emma is unrequited, and he finds life in Yonville dull. The promise of exciting experiences in Paris tempts him. Their farewell is uncomfortable and silent, but deeply emotional for both. Post departure, Charles and Homais engage in a conversation about the allure and challenges of living in the city.

part 2 chapter 7

Following Leon's farewell, Emma once again succumbs to her familiar melancholy. She becomes sullen, short-tempered, edgy and unhappy. Always longing for Leon, she regrets not surrendering to her feelings for him. During her misery, she encounters a wealthy and attractive property owner named Rodolphe Boulanger, who visits Charles with a sick servant. While Charles attends to the patient, Justin, the assistant to Homais, and an admirer of Emma, faints at the sight of blood. As Emma rushes to his aid, Rodolphe is captivated by her charm and starts scheming to win her over.

part 2 chapter 8

Yonville bustles with the yearly agricultural fair's joy, filled with animal exhibitions, speeches, and awards. Catherine Leroux, an elderly, shy woman, garners a prize for her fifty-four years of devoted service to a single farm. Rodolphe escorts Emma to the vacant town hall where they view the ceremony. In their seclusion, Rodolphe proclaims his love for her. The local prefect's delegate delivers a discourse on public virtue. Undeterred, Rodolphe continues to declare his love, encouraging Emma to reciprocate. She attempts to maintain the decorum expected of a married woman, but she can't help intertwining her fingers with his.

part 2 chapter 9

Rodolphe consciously spends six weeks away from Emma, hoping the distance would intensify her yearning. When he finally visits, Emma initially responds coldly but his romantic words melt her resistance. To her surprise, Rodolphe suggests lending her a horse for a ride. She initially declines, but Charles convinces her to accept. The following event sees Emma and Rodolphe horse-riding together. A picturesque forest setting provides the backdrop for Rodolphe's renewed declaration of love. Overwhelmed, Emma succumbs and they make love. On returning home, she's elated, believing her life has finally taken a romantic turn. The clandestine affair between Emma and Rodolphe takes flight as she begins to slip away from home to meet him, paying little heed to prudence or her responsibilities at home. Her new love becomes her obsession.

part 2 chapter 10

Emma and Rodolphe switch their meeting spot to Emma's garden, being more careful. Rodolphe grows bored of Emma's idealistic outlook on love and starts to lose interest, yet stays due to her good looks and encourages her to be more careful. He lessens his affection towards her, making Emma doubt his feelings. A letter from her dad evokes memories of her carefree childhood. Feeling guilty, Emma attempts to redeem herself through sacrifice. She acts distant towards Rodolphe in a bid to end their relationship, and makes efforts to enhance her feelings for Charles.

part 2 chapter 11

Homais discovers an article that commends a new remedy for clubfoot. Pressured by Emma, who desires to advance Charles's profession, Homais, and the Yonville community, the wary Charles consents to apply this method on Hippolyte, a clubfooted worker at the inn. Despite Hippolyte's skill in maneuvering his deformed limb, he is persuaded by the villagers to undergo the procedure. Charles's attempt brings him local fame, but it's a failure. Hippolyte's leg succumbs to gangrene and has to be cut off. Emma deems Charles inept and is repulsed by him. Her relationship with Rodolphe was experiencing a lull, but she reignites it with greater fervor than earlier.

part 2 chapter 12

Emma's affair with Rodolphe resumes, intensifying her unhappiness in her marriage. This leads her to contemplate leaving her husband, Charles. At the same time, Lheureux, a merchant and loan shark, manipulates her into making exorbitant purchases she can't afford, plunging her into debt. Rodolphe, on the other hand, grows increasingly irritated by Emma's romantic ideals and grows weary of their affair. Emma's indiscreet behavior leads everyone in town, including Charles's mother, to discover her infidelity. Following a heated argument with Emma, Charles's mother forces an apology from her. Humiliated, Emma pleads with Rodolphe to elope with her, intending to bring her daughter Berthe along. In anticipation of fleeing with Rodolphe, Emma starts being nicer and less irritable towards Charles and his mother. The lovers outline their escape plan, deciding to leave Yonville separately and rendezvous in Rouen. Yet, after a conversation in Emma's garden, Rodolphe decides against the plan.

part 2 chapter 13

Rodolphe resolves not to run away with Emma, concluding the pleasures she offers won't compensate for the continuous obligation of her company. Reflecting on past lovers, he pens a letter to Emma, falsely claiming his love for her is so profound he must terminate their affair to prevent her suffering. Expecting this lie to relieve him of any inconvenience of ending the relationship, he sends the letter hidden among a basket of apricots. Emma is heartbroken upon receiving the letter. As she reads it in the attic, she considers jumping out the window but is halted by Charles' call. Disturbed, she leaves the letter exposed, forgetting to hide it. That evening, while Charles enjoys Rodolphe's apricots, Emma spots Rodolphe's carriage leaving the city, causing her to faint. She wishes to be left alone, refusing to see even her own child. A severe fever follows, leaving her near-death for six weeks. Charles brings in numerous doctors, but none can diagnose her. By October, however, Emma starts to regain her health.

part 2 chapter 14

Charles is plagued with concerns, especially Emma's poor health and their worsening financial state. The steep medical costs and a bill from Lheureux for Emma's debts force him to loan money at exorbitant rates from Lheureux. Simultaneously, Emma rekindles her Catholic fervor, believing she has experienced a spiritual revelation during her illness. She prays passionately, showing more kindness towards Charles and Berthe. However, her faith fails to meet her expectations as it doesn't match the exhilaration she felt with Rodolphe. Nevertheless, she stays devout and amiable, growing closer to the villagers. Justin, a village boy, is smitten by her. Other regular visitors include Binet, the tax collector providing tips on opening cider bottles, and Homais. Homais suggests Charles take Emma to the opera in Rouen to help her health. Bournisien, the priest, debates with Homais on the morality of theater, with the former condemning it and the latter supporting it. Thinking it might improve Emma's health, Charles finally decides to take her to the opera.

part 2 chapter 15

At the theater, Emma feels mortified by Charles's lack of sophistication, even as she yearns to appear cultured and high-class. The opera delights her, stirring memories of her youthful romances and provoking reflections on her own life. During the break, she is surprised to find out that Leon is also present. The three of them, Emma, Charles, and Leon, proceed to a coffee house. Charles and Leon engage in conversation, and Emma is struck by Leon's newfound elegance since his relocation to Paris. Leon initially scoffs at the opera, but quickly changes his tune upon hearing that Emma might remain in Rouen to catch the second half, lauding it enthusiastically. Charles proposes that Emma stays an extra day to watch the remainder of the opera while he goes back to Yonville.

part 3 chapter 1

While at law school, Leon had almost forgotten Emma, but upon seeing her again, his feelings have resurfaced. He visits her at her hotel while Charles is away. They engage in a deep discussion about life dissatisfaction and the romanticism of death. Overwhelmed, Leon expresses his love and shares a kiss with Emma. Even though she rebuffs him, he pleads for another opportunity and they decide to meet at the cathedral the following day. Afterwards, Emma pens a letter to Leon, stating that she can't be his lover. The next day, Leon arrives at the cathedral at the agreed time. Emma, however, hesitates, hoping to dodge him so she doesn't fall for him again. Upon reaching, she hands the letter to Leon, who neglects to read it. When the church's beadle offers a tour of the cathedral, she accepts but Leon interrupts it. They request a carriage. The carriage driver is puzzled why they want to drive around aimlessly, with all the curtains drawn, on such a beautiful day. The carriage is out and about all day and into the evening. The only indication of activity from within the carriage is a hand that appears to discard the shredded pieces of Emma's letter into the breeze.

part 3 chapter 2

After spending prolonged hours in their carriage, Emma fails to catch the coach back to Yonville. Instead, she hires a private cab. Upon her return, she rushes to Homais's pharmacy, where a heated argument between Homais and Justin is unfolding over a stolen storeroom key where arsenic is stored. Homais informs Emma of Charles's father's death. As Charles grieves, his mother comes for an extended visit to their Yonville residence, a circumstance that upsets Emma. During this time, Lheureux presents another debt list and suggests Emma to gain control of Charles's finances to clear the debts. Charles, innocently trusting Emma, consents to this idea. He even permits her to visit Rouen for three days so Leon can prepare the necessary documents.

part 3 chapter 3

During their three-day amorous escapade in Rouen, Emma and Leon stay at a hotel, take a romantic boat ride to an island, and indulge in moonlit love. During one of their boat trips, the boatman mentions a group of wealthy youths who had used the boat previously. Rodolphe happens to be one of them. This rattles Emma momentarily, but she swiftly regains composure and sets plans for Leon to correspond with her once she is back in Yonville.

part 3 chapter 4

As Emma reestablishes herself in Yonville, Leon concocts reasons to frequent her presence. He disregards his responsibilities and companions in Rouen. Emma's financial situation worsens owing to Lheureux, and she persuades Charles to sanction her weekly piano tutorials in Rouen. Her hidden agenda, however, is to regularly rendezvous with Leon.

part 3 chapter 5

Emma dedicates each Thursday to clandestine meetings with Leon in Rouen's seedy districts. Her encounters with him invigorate her, contrasting with her anhedonia and aloofness at home. Despite maintaining the façade of a devoted wife, her relationship with Leon intensifies, with each viewing the other as if they were characters in a romance novel. Her journeys to visit him and return to Yonville become a routine. During her travels, she sporadically encounters a grotesque, blind beggar who sings ghastly songs that unnerve her. Charles almost uncovers her illicit relationship when he discovers that Emma's supposed piano tutor doesn't even know her name. However, Emma manages to mislead him with counterfeit receipts for the lessons, assuaging Charles' suspicions. Lheureux capitalizes on Emma's financial woes by persuading her to sell parts of Charles' father's property to him at a disadvantage. He also induces her to progressively borrow more money. When Charles' mother reviews the finances, Emma uses Lheureux to fabricate a bill for a lesser sum than she actually owes. This doesn't stop Charles' mother from destroying Emma's power of attorney, but Charles signs a new one soon after. Emma's obsession with her romantic escapades with Leon takes over. Enjoying a wide spectrum of romantic delights, she even spends a night with Leon in Rouen without informing Charles, making her husband feel ridiculous for his concern. From then on, she visits Leon on her whims, leading Leon to grow tired of her constant demands for his attention.

part 3 chapter 6

On a day that Emma was supposed to meet Leon in Rouen, Homais unexpectedly drops by and occupies Leon's attention. Emma, left alone in the hotel room, grows furious and accuses Leon of favoring Homais over her. Arriving home in anger, she starts questioning her perception of Leon. She begins to boss Leon around, which he meets with irritation. Suddenly, a debt collector drops by, causing Emma to be served with a legal warning. She borrows more cash from Lheureux and embarks on a desperate attempt to amass funds to clear her debts. She even pawns off numerous items from Charles's home in Yonville. She continues her lavish lifestyle when she's with Leon, insisting he splurge on their entertainment. She funds his expenditure, which he begins to detest. She also grows tired of his unwillingness to spend. Both of them start losing interest in their affair. Emma begins associating with questionable individuals, even joining some crude clerks at a low-class eatery following a costume party.

part 3 chapter 7

Officials visit the Bovarys’ home to list and claim their possessions to settle Emma's financial obligations. Emma conceals a left-behind guard in the attic to keep Charles in the dark about their financial situation. She hatches a plan to gather the needed 8,000 francs but is denied a loan by Rouen's bankers. Leon won't steal from his employer despite Emma's pleas. Regardless, he agrees to ask his friends for help. After returning to Yonville, Emma hands her last five-franc coin to a blind beggar and discovers a public notice about the sale of their possessions. Emma seeks help from Guillaumin, the local attorney. He proposes to assist her in exchange for sexual favors, which she vehemently declines. Charles remains unaware of these developments while the townspeople speculate about their outcome. Emma is seen visiting Binet, the tax collector, by two local women. She pleads for more time to pay her taxes and tries to seduce Binet. When he rejects her attempts, she turns to Rodolphe, hoping to exchange her love for his financial assistance.

part 3 chapter 8

Rodolphe's attraction to Emma vanishes upon understanding her financial predicament, leading to her abrupt departure after his refusal to lend money. In her despair, Emma rushes to Homais's pharmacy, coaxing Justin into granting her access to the arsenic. She ingests a sizable amount before returning home, a sense of calm washing over her. Charles discovers the auction notice and desperately looks for Emma, eventually finding her in bed. She hands him a sealed letter, instructing him to open it the following day. Emma initially feels no reaction to the poison, envisioning a peaceful death. However, a foul taste soon overcomes her, and she is wracked with severe abdominal pain. Charles, after reading her letter, learns she's poisoned herself. He and Homais struggle to devise a plan, ultimately deciding on attempting to create an antidote. Emma tenderly interacts with Charles and their daughter, Berthe. Medical help, including renowned doctor Larivière, is summoned from Rouen, but to no avail. A priest arrives to give Emma her last sacrament. Both Charles and Emma are overcome with grief, shedding tears. The final sound Emma hears is the melancholic song of a blind beggar outside her window as she passes away.

part 3 chapter 9

After Emma's passing, Charles is shattered. He organizes an opulent burial, including three caskets, and decides to lay her to rest in her bridal attire. Homais and Bournisien, the clergyman, join Charles to keep vigil over Emma's body. A clash over the significance of prayer ensues, and Charles vents his anger towards God. When Emma is prepared for her final journey, a dark fluid seeps from her mouth. Charles later peeks beneath her veil to gaze at her, but recoils in dread. He requests Homais to snip a strand of her hair. Homais complies, leaving a noticeable bare spot amidst her locks.

part 3 chapter 10

Rouault learns about his daughter's sickness and comes to Yonville, only to find that Emma has already passed away. He, Charles, and the entire town - which includes Lheureux and Hippolyte showcasing his finest prosthetic leg - go to her funeral. Justin isn't present for the event, but he pays a solitary late-night visit to Emma's burial site to grieve alone.

part 3 chapter 11

Emma's debtors start hounding Charles for repayment of a large debt. Charles tries to pay them off, however, he discovers that Emma had already taken all his patient’s dues. He ends up borrowing more and selling household items but continues to idolize her. Upon learning about Leon's engagement, Charles congratulates him, thinking how happy Emma would have been. Even when he finds Rodolphe's letter to Emma, he believes it to be about a platonic sentiment. Charles keeps to himself, still in the company of Emma's memory. Homais distances himself, being preoccupied with his campaign to get rid of the blind beggar and gaining respect in the community for his knowledge about politics and medicine. Discovering Leon and Rodolphe’s letters in Emma’s desk forces Charles to accept Emma was unfaithful. This realization leaves him despondent and he withdraws further into himself. Selling almost all his possessions to keep the debtors at bay has crushed him. During a trip to Rouen to sell his horse for more money, he runs into Rodolphe. Rodolphe feels guilty about his role in Charles's demise. Charles acknowledges knowing everything but doesn't blame Rodolphe for Emma's actions, instead, he blames destiny. Charles meets his end in his garden the following day. His possessions are claimed by the creditors, and Berthe, his daughter, is sent to live with his mother. After Charles’s mother's death, Berthe is sent off to a poor aunt and she ends up working in a cotton mill. Homais, on the other hand, continues to prosper and receives the Legion of Honor medal.

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