Madame Bovary | Chapter Summaries

Timeline of Events

• Young adulthood

  Charles attends medical school and becomes a doctor.

  Part 1, Chapter 1
• Years later

  Charles marries and is soon widowed.

  Part 1, Chapter 2
• Months later

  Charles marries Emma.

  Part 1, Chapter 4
• Months later, Tostes

  Emma becomes pregnant, and the family moves to Yonville.

  Part 1, Chapter 9
• Days later, Yonville

  Emma meets Léon.

  Part 2, Chapter 2
• Months later, Yonville

  Emma gives birth to Berthe.

  Part 2, Chapter 3
• Years later, Yonville

  Léon moves away to Paris.

  Part 2, Chapter 7
• Months later, Yonville

  Emma begins an affair with Rodolphe.

  Part 2, Chapter 8
• Months later, Yonville

  Rodolphe breaks off with Emma.

  Part 2, Chapter 12
• Months later, Rouen

  Emma reunites with Léon.

  Part 2, Chapter 15
• Weeks later, Rouen

  Emma and Léon begin an affair.

  Part 3, Chapter 1
• Months later, Rouen

  Emma falls deeper into debt and grows bored with Léon.

  Part 3, Chapter 6
• Weeks later, Yonville

  Emma commits suicide after Charles discovers her debt.

  Part 3, Chapter 8
• Months later, Yonville

  Charles discovers Emma's affairs and passes away; Berthe is sent away to work.

  Part 3, Chapter 11

Chapter Summaries Chart