Madame Bovary, Part 3, Chapter 7 summary

What happens

1. Seizure officers inventory Emma’s belongings, including her private letters, while Félicité helps keep Charles unaware.
2. Brokers refuse Emma money, and Léon evades her pressure to obtain funds from his office.
3. Emma returns home, then discovers public notices announcing the sale of her furniture.
4. Guillaumin makes sexual advances instead of straightforwardly helping her, and she leaves in anger.
5. Neighbors spy on Emma’s unsuccessful visit to Binet, after which she takes refuge with Nurse Rollet.
6. When Nurse Rollet reports no visitor and a weeping Charles, Emma sets out to seek money from Rodolphe.

In this chapter

What to notice

Emma rejects Guillaumin’s attempt to exploit her need. Her protest contrasts with her unrecognized willingness to bargain through love when she turns toward Rodolphe.

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