Google trend - Bouvard

Bouvard - 10 things to know with detail

• Bouvard is a character created by French author Gustave Flaubert in his novel "Bouvard et Pécuchet." Bouvard is a middle-aged, retired copyist who inherits a large fortune and decides to devote his time to intellectual pursuits.
• Bouvard is portrayed as an idealistic and naive individual who is constantly searching for meaning and purpose in life. He is easily influenced by the latest trends and fads, leading him to constantly change his beliefs and interests.
• Bouvard's best friend and companion is Pécuchet, another retired copyist who shares his intellectual pursuits. The two men form a close bond and spend their days studying various subjects, from agriculture to philosophy to chemistry.
• Bouvard and Pécuchet's attempts to educate themselves often end in failure, as they lack the expertise and experience needed to fully understand the subjects they study. This leads to many humorous and absurd situations throughout the novel.
• Bouvard is a complex character who struggles with feelings of disillusionment and dissatisfaction with his life. Despite his wealth and free time, he is unable to find true happiness and fulfillment in his pursuits.
• Bouvard's character reflects Flaubert's critique of bourgeois society and the pursuit of intellectual and material wealth. Through Bouvard's experiences, Flaubert exposes the emptiness and futility of these pursuits.
• Bouvard's character is also a reflection of Flaubert's own struggles with his writing and his search for artistic perfection. Like Bouvard, Flaubert was constantly questioning his own beliefs and ideas, leading to a sense of disillusionment and despair.
• Bouvard's name has become synonymous with a certain type of middle-class intellectual, someone who is well-read and interested in culture and ideas but lacks the depth and understanding to truly engage with them.
• The character of Bouvard has inspired many adaptations and interpretations in popular culture, from plays to films to comic strips. He remains a timeless and relevant figure, symbolizing the human quest for knowledge and meaning.
• Overall, Bouvard is a tragicomic figure, caught between his desire for intellectual enlightenment and his inability to truly grasp the complexities of the world around him. His character serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of intellectual pretension and the importance of humility and self-awareness.