19th Century Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes three 19th century works, "Hedda Gabler" by Henrik Ibsen, "The Death of Ivan Ilych" by Leo Tolstoy and "Madame Bovary" by Gustave Flaubert. It analyzes how each work portrays the values of the time. Specifically, the paper discusses how the works portray the protagonists whose personalities are not able to cope with the artificial and shallow values of their society and, as a result, must seek the final escape.

From the Paper:

"Madame Bovary was similarly a misfit in society. Like Hedda, she grows bored with conventional life and seeks a more interesting life. Also, like Hedda, she is torn between two worlds--the one that offers her romance and adventure and the other in a boring and conventional home environment. She wants her affairs to give her a release, but she is afraid of what would happen if Charles finds out the truth. Also, both Hedda and Emma are relegated to having a sexual affair as the only other release available. Such affairs are controlled by men, just as the rest of society. Thus, they are under the same constraints."

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