Frederic: Idealism vs. Realism
Although there are many threads woven into the fabric of the Sentimental Education (the political situation, social class, etc), Frederic’s obsession with Madame Arnoux is the frame upon which the rest of the tapestry of the story is built. Looking at the big picture, it appears that Frederic falls short of being a courageous hero. In his dealings with the other women, he is pretty much pond scum. In his eyes, however, he sees himself as Mme. Arnoux’s champion. When her husband cannot provide for her, Frederic steps in and pays off debts for her. It is Frederic who consoles her when her husband is unfaithful to her. Frederic even fights a duel for her honor. He calls himself her “true husband.”
Seeing that Frederic is so in love with her, why doesn’t he sleep with her at the end of the book? Earlier in the book, this was definitely his intent when he rented the apartment for their rendevous, but when she comes to offer herself to him at long last, he holds back. One explanation is that she is now old and unattractive to Frederic. I was a bit miffed when he was dumbstruck at her white hair. Perhaps this shock was due to the fact that the last time he had seen her, she was still relatively young and beautiful, and this was the picture of her that he carried in his mind. I think that Frederic got over his surprise because as he spoke to her as he was on his knees, he relived his feelings for her and what she looked like when he knew her. He was able, thus, to look past her current appearance and to feel a “frenzied, rabid lust,” like he had never felt before.
If Mme. Arnoux’s appearance was not an obstacle, then why did Frederic let her leave? I think that had he slept with her, she would have ceased to hold the place in Frederic’s heart to which he had assigned her. He had placed her on a pedestal in his mind. She was the epitome of beauty and goodness for him. Although he felt desire for her at the end of the book, the author notes that Frederic constrained himself out of “fear of being disgusted later.” Even though he felt he was her true husband, he was not her husband. To cross that line would have destroyed the image of her he had created. She would become to him as the other females he had been involved with. I wonder, if Flaubert had had Arnoux die and Frederic had been able to marry Mme. Arnoux, would she have lived up to his impossible fantasy? Would he have been happy for a time, only to have his ardor fade with the years? Though the book is a Realist text, it seems to ironic that Frederic so idealizes Mme. Armoux. He doesn’t really see her as she is until the end.
As for me, I kept hoping that Frederic would wake up and marry Louise. He would have been rich (a must for him) and Louise really loved him. He seemed to have a genuine affection for her, especially when she was a girl. Realistically (no pun intended), this would have been the most practical choice for him.
I agree with you that Frederic would have destroyed the ‘pedestal’ image he had of Mme. Arnoux if he had slept with her. But I also think Flaubert wanted to show up Frederic for the shallow character he was. He clearly lost interest when he saw how she had aged because his idyllic image of her was of a permanently youthful beauty. Frederic was a cad, and survived on his silly little castles in the air of a perfect world that does not exist. And yes, Louise would have been a good choice. But… that would have given a semblance of a happy ending, and Flaubert would never have approved, right?
Your what if questions are very well taken. I’m glad you got into this novel so much. Good job.