She was the amoureuse of all the novels, the heroine of all the plays, the vague 'she' of all the poetry books.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- She represents the generic romantic ideal found in many stories and poems.
- In plain terms
- She is like any generic hero found in novels and plays.
- What can you take from it?
- Literary stereotypes often shape how people see themselves.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do stories shape your view of love?
- Are you acting out a role?
Another view
Not everyone conforms to these literary ideals.
More from Gustave Flaubert
It wasn't the first time in their lives that they had seen trees, blue sky and lawn, or heard the flowing of water or the rustle of the breeze in the branches,…
Permalink to quote #72 A clear day's warmth will often move / A lass to stray in dreams of love
Permalink to quote #74 His rage had sent him into Latin: he would have spouted Chinese or Greenlandic had he been able to, for he was in the throes of one of those crises in which th…
Permalink to quote #71
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