Leon

One of the more distinguished residents of Yonville-l’Abbaye has been Monsieur Léon Dupuis, a fine young man, dedicated to his intellectual endeavors and political pursuits. An avid reader, extraordinary card-player, and aspiring lawyer was he. When he lived here, in my house on the second floor, I might add, he was a joy to us all. I, the Legion of Honor winner, was especially taken in by his charming mind and his handsome thoughts; I “valued him for his education” (Flaubert 99). With no strong political views, he was the type of young man with whom anyone (educated, that is) could get along. This youth, who was 20 when he first had the most fortunate opportunity to meet me, also had other dignified qualities to him. As clerk under Maître Guillaumin, he was quiet and shy, yet maintained “‘very elegant’ manners” (99). Moreover he was a dilettante, a dabbler in the arts. He sung majestically while residing in my humble abode, like a lark greeting the first rays of the morning sun. He painted watercolors, and sung The Guardian Angel as if he were a professional. What a gift he was to my household! With his chestnut hair, manicured nails, and blue eyes, he had all the graces of Adonis, a veritable god—whose looks were only equaled by my own. But, above all, he was a great listener, a caring humanitarian. Léon was always playful and jocund with my darling, precocious children, Napolean, Athalie, Irma, and Franklin. It was a sad, somber, depressing day when he left to continue his law studies in Rouen. (But, I knew the real reason he left—he was in love with Felicité, the Bovary’s maid.)

But, that was not the last that I saw of or heard from him again. He had the pleasure of entertaining me one day in Rouen, as a took a small break from my important work in the pharmacy. Some time later, we heard that he married a Mademoiselle Léocadie Laboeuf, and now is the notary in Yvetot. What good fortune does this town have in having Monsieur Léon Dupuis as a citizen and notary. And, any day now, I expect to hear that children are on the way—what a great father he will be (like myself, of course)!

HOWEVER, upon reading Monsieur Flaubert’s prose poem Madame Bovary, my opinion of Léon Dupuis dramatically changed (Wood 42). I knew he left Yonville, because he had amorous feelings for someone. But, Madame Emma Bovary? Who could have thought? In hindsight, this actually does make sense; I guess I knew all along about their feelings towards one another. Léon was a “kindred soul” of Emma, who could identify with her (Levin 257). Both were bored with Yonville (how could they be? There is more than enough stimulation here!) and loved the arts (257). And, Léon’s passive, modest, shy qualities made him easy prey for the fiendish Emma Bovary (Llosa 46). Monsieur Dupuis made the right choice in leaving Yonville when he did; yet, Emma still caught him, like the tiger who stalks his prey. Léon is the incarnation of “loin” for Emma, a reminder of the desire housed within her bosom, of the romantic love she always dreamed about (Tanner 294). The deception displayed by Léon as well as his immoral actions are inexcusable. In my mind, he will forever be labeled as an adulterer (273).

People of Yonville

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