Summer Quote by Gustave Flaubert
““On fine summer evenings, at the hour when the warm streets are empty and the maids play shuttlecock in doorways, he would open his window and lean out on the sill. The river, which turns this part of Rouen into a sort of shabby little Venice, flowed by beneath him, yellow, violet or blue between its bridges and its railings. Some workmen were crouched down on the bank, washing their arms in the water. On poles projecting from the lofts up above, skeins of cotton hung out to dry. In front, away beyond the roof-tops, was a pure expanse of sky with a red sun setting. How good it would be over yonder, now! How cool under the beeches! He opened his nostrils to breathe in the wholesome country smells - which failed to reach him here.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Madame Bovary, 1856 (excerpt)
A vivid evening scene captures the protagonist’s longing for freedom and sensory richness amid a stagnant town.
In simple terms: He yearns for a brighter, freer world.
Key Takeaway
Seek moments of beauty in daily life.
Themes
longing
sensory detail
urban life
Mood
nostalgic
contemplative
Type
literary
descriptive
When to use this quote
- city living
- artistic inspiration
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
romanticism
realism
environmental description
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the river symbolize?
- How can one find escape without leaving home?
A Different Perspective
The scene may idealize escape, ignoring practical constraints.
