Why stories like 'Madame Bovary' and 'Leave Her to Heaven' are still relevant today
What can be said about the classic Period Piece written by Gustave Flaubert? It was a novel which sparked outrage and was taken to court. Successfully, the author was acquitted and his book still is regarded as a masterpiece. It wasn't meant to be offensive, rather an example of the length someone will go to for excitement and pleasure. Not a fairy tale with a happy ending when you think about it.
It's the story of a troubled and confused Emma Bovary, who leaves her convent believing life in novels are exacting. No understanding of figurative and literal; neither of moral lessons and real life cases. Neglect, pride, and obsession is carried out from beginning to end. Emma never has time for her daughter Berthe, seeing that her nanny is her mother instead. Furthermore, regrets marrying Charles, the doctor she pressures to become and wishes to be renowned.
Emma rather have fantastic relationship and when she doesn't receive it, disposes of the man as if he were a garbage bag. What happens later is like that of Greek tragedy.
Madame Bovary (1949) starring Jennifer Jones, Louis Jourdan and Gene Lockhart
We now move on to a modern day novel of Thrills and Drama. Ben Ames Williams may not have been Gustave Flaubert, but he wrote a book about another troubled and obsessive character. Ellen Bernet meets and marries Richard Hartland, after having only met by chance on a train. Their relationship happens rapidly and seems like it could blossom as a newly grown flower would. However, romance is not what this story is about.
Ellen wants nothing more but to be Richard's ONLY love one. That NOBODY else can be with him, literally. Her obsession, jealousy and idolizing of Richard drives her to do the most absurd to shocking acts. Eventually, the marriage begins to show signs of disintegration. Which only leads to more shame and uncalled for acts by Ellen to save it.
Ellen was the original Alex Forrest before 'Fatal Attraction (1987)' and its director Adrian Lyne ever came along. What becomes of her isn't pretty and is also like a Greek tragedy.
Leave Her to Heaven (1945) trailer
Leave Her to Heaven (1945) starring Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde and Vincent Price
We might know or possible almost had a similar fate like these characters. Both stories speaks about madness and destruction. Plus how love shouldn't be exploited or an obsession. It isn't what God created love for. We should see these stories as cautionary tales and moral lessons, much like fable stories and those of other folklore.
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