A Simple Heart"

Week 5 Schedule:

Instructions for posting your answers to Discussion Questions are as follows:

Please provide your in-depth interpretation and analysis on the questions (at least 100 words per Discussion question #1, #2, and #3). Please try to include textual evidence (direct quotes along with the Act and Scene #) in your answer.

When you need to summarize the plot, please do not copy words/sentences from the text. You should briefly summarize/paraphrase the plot in your own words.

Tuesday, Feb. 6- Flaubert's "A Simple Heart" (pp. 436-450, up to chapter 3)

Thursday, Feb. 8 - Flaubert's "A Simple Heart" (pp. 450-455)

Discussion Question #1 for Flaubert's "A Simple Heart" (1877, pp. 436-450)

What does Felicite do for Madame Aubain and how does Felicite save Madame Aubain and her children (Paul and Virginie) from a bull's attack, and what does she think of her own action? Why was Felicite "the envy of the ladies of Pont-l'Eveque" (436) for fifty years? What happened to Felicite's love affair with Theodore? Why do you think Felicite has not dated anyone else (although she was only 18 years old at that time) after her affair with Theodore (after her consensual sex trusting Theodore who promised to marry her and "swore great oaths of his fidelity" 438)? Does Felicite have a good moral sense? Why did she spend the rest of her life for others since then? How would you describe her as a servant and as an individual? (Please check Discussions to see Questions #2 and 3)

Discussion Question #2 for Flaubert's "A Simple Heart" (1877, pp. 436-450)

When Felicite took Virginie to Church, Felicite also listens to the priest's lesson on the Bible: "Then she wept at the story of the Passion. The sowings, harvest, wine-presses, all the familiar things the Gospel speaks of, were a part of her life. . . She loved the lambs more tenderly for her love of the Lamb, and the doves because of the Holy Ghost" (443). What do you make of Felicite's understanding of the Bible and the Holy Ghost? Does Flaubert make fun of Felicite's lack of knowledge of the Bible? Or, do you think Flaubert mocks religion through Felicite? Is Felicite spiritual or religious? (What does it mean to be religious?) How would you describe Felicite's life so far? Does Felicite try to enrich herself by working hard or does she devote her life to others?

Discussion Question #3 for Flaubert's "A Simple Heart" (1877, pp. 436-450)

Note: Felicite did not have any opportunities to get an education and she is unable to read letters, books, or the Bible. (Textual evidence) When her brother-in-law brought her a letter from Victor, she could not read it and asked Madame Aubain to read the letter for her. Please see p. 446.

3. Who is Victor, and how would you describe Felicite's relationship with Victor? When Madam Aubain does not hear a word for four days from Virginie who is staying at a convent for her education, she loses her patience. In order to console her, Felicite tells Madame that she has not heard from Victor for six months. However, Madam says, "Oh! Your nephew!. . . A scamp of a cabin-boy?--What does he matter?. . . whereas my daughter. . . why, just think" (445). What is Madam saying here? How does Madam Aubain compare her relationship with Virginie to Felicite's relationship with Victor? What does Felicite think of what Madam says about Victor? What does Victor mean to Felicite? What do you think Flaubert is trying to convey through Madam Aubain's attitude? After Virginie has died, Felicite and Madam Aubain go to her room and find Virginie's old hat that is eaten by the moth, but Felicite wants to keep it and asks Madam to give it to her: "Their eyes fixedly and filled with tears; at least the mistress opened her arms, the servant threw herself into them, and they embraced each other, satisfying their grief in a kiss that made them equal" (449). What brings them to embrace each other and what do you make of this scene?