[R. Nemo Hill]

I think I'd have to side with Quincy on this one: CliffsNotes.

Except for this line, which I just love:

He rode with such an expert thigh

Nemo

[Susan McLean]

If Emma Bovary had shared the cynicism and awareness of the speaker of this ballade, she would never have met the fate she did. A hint of that fate might have added some depth to the poem, if "die" were saved for the end instead of the section on nuns. I haven't read Madame Bovary since I was an undergrad, but reading this ballade brought it right back to me. Like most poems about literature, this one benefits enormously if the reader knows the work in question. Having just written my first ballade, I know how demanding that rhyme scheme is, so I have nothing but admiration for the way this poet makes it look easy. The refrain makes it sound as though the whole problem is that the husband is a country doctor. His lack of sophistication and ability are larger problems, but so are her own expectations. Admittedly, that would be a lot to pack into a refrain. I do like the metaphors associated with the two lovers, which are both poetic high points in the poem. And it sounds great. One of the huge advantages of the French repeating forms is the way they can sing.

Susan

[Lance Levens]

Nemo, Quincy and Michael have stolen my thunder. Too pat, too sing songy. And it doesn't capture Emma B.'s pitiful romantic obsessions .

[FOsen]

Just swelling the consensus - it's Madame Bovary competently embalmed, but to what purpose? Agree with Susan that the passage about the lovers is the best part.

Frank

[Andrew Frisardi]

Without Madame Bovary in the title, some of people's objections to this one would be moot. Since she's not really in the poem, the author might consider retitling.

[R. Nemo Hill]

Andrew's idea is a very good one: de-canonize the poem.

Nemo