Fri, May 8, 1964
Initially, Emma is able to continue a double life of extreme contrasts stolen time spent with her lover, Rodolphe, writing to him or dreaming about him is the counterpoint to domesticity. Charles' love for Emma makes him oblivious to her faults and his pride obliges him to indulge her naïveté in purchasing clothes and trappings that are beyond their means. The Draper, M. Lheureux, supplier of these luxuries, increases his profits by luring customers into his web of usury. As Emma's spending expands into expensive presents for her lover, the debts to Lheureux mount. M. Homais, the local pharmacist, suggests to Emma that an opportunity for fame and fortune in the medical field awaits her husband, were he to be persuaded to pioneer an operation on the club-foot of the local ostler.