The Blind Beggar's Song

Paper Summary:

This paper explains how Flaubert's blind beggar can be seen as an economic, romantic and/or moralistic symbol. It looks a how this is shown through symbolism in the beggar's song, appearance and voice, as well as Emma's and others' reactions. It also discusses how these all portray different aspects of Emma's life.

From the Paper:

"The next scene where the beggar appears is on Emma's deathbed. At this point, readers hear the entirety of the beggar's song and discover the real meaning of it. Initially, it seemed as though the song was about "birds and sunshine and leaves of green" (Flaubert 249). But the progression of the song shows the maid's petticoat flying away, exposing her in a very sexual way. The unrolling of the song in this manner is very reflective of Emma's journey from purity to sexual degradation, moral decay, and, ultimately, death. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Flaubert, Gustave. Madame Bovary. London: Penguin Classics, 2003.

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