Madame Bovary

Yonville-l’Abbaye is a large town with very little to do. The most impressive building in the town is the pharmacy of Monsieur Homais, which is large and decorated in a multicultural style. There is a street of shops and a popular inn run by a widow, Madame Lefrancois. As Madame Lefrancois prepares for dinner one night, she chats with Monsieur Homais. She is expecting her regulars, including Monsieur Binet, who is always on time, and Monsieur Léon, who is always late. Monsieur Binet waits patiently and silently for Madame Lefrancois to get his table ready. Monsieur Homais and Madame Lefrancois both find him rude. Then, the priest stops by for his umbrella but leaves quickly, refusing Madame Lefrancois’s offer to have a drink. Monsieur Homais and Madame Lefrancois also find this exceptionally rude. Monsieur Homais is not religious and finds the Catholic institutions and beliefs absurd. Finally, the Bovarys arrive in Yonville-l’Abbaye, delayed because Emma’s greyhound ran off during their journey. They spent a while looking for the dog but could not find her, which devastates Emma.