41 pages • 1 hour read
A Simple Heart
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Summary and Study Guide
Overview
A Simple Heart is a novella by Gustave Flaubert that appeared in his book Three Tales. The title has also been translated as A Simple Soul. The story follows the kind and loving maidservant Félicité from her youth to her death and details the many loves that she loses along the way, exploring themes of The Power of Social Class, The Value of a Personal Relationship With God, and The Omnipresence of Death.
This guide uses the 2005 Penguin Classics edition of Three Tales, translated into English by Roger Whitehouse.
Content Warning: The source material and guide refer to death by suicide, sexual assault, and physical abuse.
Plot Summary
Housemaid Félicité has worked for Madame Aubain for 50 years, keeping house, cooking, darning, washing, ironing, bridling the horses, feeding the chickens, and churning butter. She is paid only 100 francs a year, and Madam Aubain is the envy of the other ladies in Pont-l’Évêque for employing such a devoted worker at such a low price. Félicité has remained loyal to Madame Aubain and her two children, Paul and Virginie, even though Madame Aubain is not the kindest person.
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By Gustave Flaubert
