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Self-Immolation In Flaubert's Jude The Obscure?

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Self - Immolation in Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary and Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure : A Study of Emma Bovary and Sue Bridehead Cheena Chawla Assistant Professor(Department of English) Patel Memorial National College Rajpura, Punjab.

Abstract:
The present study attempts to analyze Flaubert’s Madame Bovary(1856) and Hardy’s Jude the Obscure(1895) in terms of self- immolation of Emma Bovary and Sue Bridehead - two mesmerising and enchanting heroines created by Flaubert and Hardy respectively. Both of them are passionate and romantic beings who suffer a great deal at the hands of Fate and society of which they are a product. Throughout her life Emma tries in vain to have a life full of glory, prestige and extraordinary love, love that would sweep her off her feet. Utterly dejected and disheartened at not being able to attain any of it, she commits suicide and sets herself free from the horrid darkness of her dull, mediocre life. Sue is a woman who lives her life on her own terms and even loves on her own terms. She is a self - …show more content…

Any woman with passion would meet a similar fate as Emma’s because the society does not provide any constructive or productive outlet for its satiation. If Emma Bovary is grace and elegance personified, Hardy’s Sue Bridehead is an epitome of beauty that exudes childlike innocence, boldness and a spirit of independence. Emma seems sad and is of a serious disposition. Sue is lively, charismatic and unburdened by others’ expectations. Although it is Jude who is the title character of the novel, Sue is the one who is more captivating, charming, complex and draws more attention throughout the novel. She lives on her own in Christminster and Jude is mesmerised by

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