“You can’t always get what you want ...”

 

(Mick Jagger and Keith Richards 1969)



Last Tuesday, I attended the monthly meeting, of my book club, in which we discussed our latest read - Madame Bovary. 

 

I had personally, enjoyed it enormously. One or two others though, expressed some disquiet, over how realistic was Emma Bovary’s personality.  At least one individual asked whether any of us knew such a person. Being brutally honest, I do - me! That said, the similarities lie in aspects of her personality - not in all of her actions!

 

I’ll just provide a very brief outline of some pertinent elements of the story, which I hope will paint something of picture of her character:

 

Emma Bovary marries a well-meaning (but not too interesting nor competent) doctor called Charles, with whom she soon becomes disillusioned. In other respects, also, she considers her life to be mundane and craves greater happiness. As we will see, she doesn’t make a very good job of attaining it ...

 

One night she attends a party, at which she is introduced to new people, who she considers to be cultured, sophisticated and forward-thinking. She, therefore, throws herself into a reckless quest, to build such a lifestyle. 

 

The steps that she takes, include taking two secret lovers (not at the same time!) in the incorrect belief that they will provide her with passion and (in one case) with greater intellectual input and freedom.

 

Neither relationship lasts and, in respect of one, she is so devastated, as to become seriously ill...

 

She then decides that material possessions are a means to her desired ends. Debts that are incurred accordingly, mount up to such an extent that it leads to her family’s, absolute financial ruin.

 

Eventually, her immense woes over these outcomes lead to her suicide. She wanted happiness, but “you can’t always get what you want”!

 

And it’s not just Madame Bovary that suffers:

 

After her death, Charles Bovary finds evidence of her infidelity, and dies a broken man. 

 

Their daughter (who she had, often ignored, during her lifetime) is therefore a penniless orphan, who ends up working in a cotton mill.

 

So, what do I have in common with Emma Bovary?

 

Simply speaking, it’s a belief that the acquisition of something new (in her case, a new lifestyle - which she seeks to achieve through new lovers and material possessions) is the only route to happiness. 

 

I have a tendency, to take the same view and am constantly dreaming up future schemes that I believe will bring happiness. Yes - some might, but not all of them will.  In common with Madame Bovary, I have also believed that happiness can be bought - in my experience it can’t!

 

Maybe things would have been better for Emma, if she had seen that things which are to hand (or which are easily achievable), can also generate joy - thus rendering her less reliant on a desire for something new.  If nothing else, she had a very loving husband, who took great steps to alleviate her problems, even though she had (admittedly unknown to him), brought them upon herself.

 

Obtaining something new isn’t the only source of pleasure - and I really must bear this in mind.

 

I have a loving (and successful - see my last post!) family and live in a lovely place.  This morning I have been for an enjoyable run in the sunshine. Buying designer clothes and writing a book might bring some happiness, but probably not as much as these things - which, at heart, are what I really need!

 

“But if you try sometimes, well, you might find

You get what you need”

 

RIP Charlie Watts

 

 

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