A simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert

The beginning of the story describes a very strict and organized woman, who lived the best she could according to the circumstances. The impression that she was older that what she actually was makes me identify with her more since in various occasions I've been told to look much older that what I actually am.I have noticed that both French writers Voltaire and Flaubert are very subtle when writing when they both mentioned that the leading ladies of the stories where raped they make reference to it as being ravished or pleasing the employers. This is very different to what happens now in writing, for instance in the Crying of Lot 49 it is easily seen how the author is very direct and doesn't avoid using impolite words.I thought it was Virginia overreacted to her first communion. On the other hand, I feel identified with Felicity since she isn't really a believer but she has to go to Mass and sometimes falls asleep. I wish she could understand why she is going to Mass and explain her belief in a better and more thorough way since I think it is a waste of time to think to believe in something you really don't believe inside.I thought it was really sad that they sent away both Paul and Veronica away. Now Felicity would be by herself and wouldn't have good company since Madame Aubain was really cold. I didn't understand what happened to the nephews of Felicity and her sister. I also didn't understand why didn't she stay with them. I felt sad for poor Paul since he wasn't appreciated as much by his mother as Virginia was, however, I was glad that Madame Aubain had shown at last some affect for someone.I thought it was really sad how Virginia and Paul changed their treatment to Felicity as they grew up, I felt as if she was being abandoned but anyway I felt happy that at least her nephew Victor had some affect for her and brought her small presents.
I thought it was very rough from Madame Aubain to be so rude with Felicity when she mentioned that she hadn’t received any news from her nephew for six months. Instead of showing herself more understanding and sympathetic after all the time Felicity had worked for her and all the sacrifices she had made for her and her sons. I felt very bad for Felicity because paradoxically, she was very sad although her name meant happiness. I thought it was really funny for Felicity to expect to see the actual place where Victor was staying in a world Atlas.

Finally, Madame Aubain softened down, I was glad that finally she showed her feelings, now Felicity wouldn’t feel as alone and unhappy as she felt before. I thought it was really sad that Paul ended up being a drunk and that he didn’t marry or had children. I also felt sorry for Felicity and Madame Aubain because now they didn’t have anything to do with their lives. Throughout the story I have noticed that Felicity isn’t happy at al she always looses what she loves and I fee sorry for her. I was glad that at least Felicity got her parrot back. I found this story similar top Candide in that in both stories the main character’s life is very tragic and has many misfortunes such as Felicity becoming almost deaf, loosing her nephew and the death of Virginia. I felt sad because of the death of Loulou, now Felicity should be about 50 and she was sick and alone since she couldn’t hear anything but her Parrot. The way Felicity kept all what Madame Aubain didn’t want remembered me of Kreecher in Harry Potter who took all the old possessions that Sirius threw away and belonged to his dead mother. In my opinion it was really funny that Felicity related her own parrot Loulou to the Holy Ghost, she was really becoming crazy. I was happy as I learned that Paul was going to get married, finally there would be something happening in the lives of both Madame Aubain and Felicity. It was really gross that Felicity was kissing her parrot not knowing that it was already rotten and broken. It just portrayed the way everything was so old and worn out and gave me the impression Flaubert was trying to show a blue image of life. I found the image of Felicity’s death very perturbing and thought it was unnecessary to be so descriptive as to narrate the foam pouring out of her mouth. I was glad that she finally died in peace and was able to rest from her suffering life.