Sentimental Education Introduction

Sentimental Education Introduction

You've heard of Mrs. Robinson. You know all about Cougar Town. And who can forget Ashton and Demi's romance gone wrong? But no one has been such a dedicated younger-man-in-love as Frederick Moreau, star of Gustave Flaubert's 1869 Sentimental Education.

Sentimental Education was Flaubert's last novel, and he gave it all he had—partly because it was based on his own unrequited love for an older woman named Elise Schlesinger. In the background of Frederick's love for Madame Arnoux, we see the French Revolution of 1848 (not that French Revolution). But don't get all freaked out about the historical details, because Flaubert himself wasn't trying to give you a history lesson. Seriously—he said it himself:

I want to write the moral history of the men of my generation—or, more accurately, the history of their feelings. It's a book about love, about passion; but passion such as can exist nowadays—that is to say, inactive. (Source, p. 80)

So get ready for a lot of names to come flying your way, but just check out our "Setting" section to contextualize and you'll be all set. Here's what we think you should focus on: What's the deal with the protagonist? What's he doing while officers are shooting into crowds and the people are erecting barriers? Follow this guy around for while and you just might get a sentimental education of your own.

What is Sentimental Education About and Why Should I Care?

You know the whole Occupy movement? Well, this is Occupy Paris—the original version. It may have been a long time ago with a bunch of muskets and flying cobblestones, but the scene was some serious combat in the street. In fact, the revolutionary riots in Sentimental Education make Occupy seem like a preschool snit-fit.

What's happening here is a conflict among monarchists, imperialists, and Republicans. In 1848, the working class and students banded together in a revolt against King Louis Philippe. When Louis couldn't take the heat, he got out of town and was replaced by a temporary government. That government started to promote socialism, which is when then the Second Republic stepped in, headed by Louis Napoleon. But don't get ahead of yourself: the Second Republic didn't last long either; it became the Second French Empire in 1851, with Louis Napoleon (now Napoleon III) as emperor. All the equality stuff was short-lived.

That's right, Shmoopers. There is some serious social protest going on in here—a take no prisoner's revolt. Oh, except they did take prisoners. So watch out.

Sentimental Education Resources

Websites

Someone Did Their Homework
This map will help you visualize where everything went down in the novel. Click on the places and get info about what happened where.

Movie or TV Productions

Oh, the Sixties
Here we've got a pretty loose interpretation of things: some of the names have been changed and the plot has been reworked a little.

Cheesetastic
This one's probably impossible to get a hold of, but a 1970s British version sounds nice and cheesy.

Can't Go Wrong With a Miniseries
We're picturing Downton Abbey but in France and with more sex.

Video

A Clip of the French Version
This scene from the miniseries adaptation shows Frederick going to visit Madame Arnoux in the countryside. Helps if you speak French—but even if you don't, you'll get the idea.

Audio

Have Someone With a British Accent Read the Book to You
It's just a sample, but it'll make you feel fancy.

Images

Old School Illustrations
Don't you wish adult books were still illustrated like this?

Fontainebleau
This painting by Cézanne depicts the forest where Frederick and Rosanette go for their little get-away.

Talkin' About a Revolution
Here's a painting that depicts the revolution going on during Frederick's many love affairs.

The Original
Small and blurry, yes, but something about old manuscripts just floats our boat.

Inventory
Check out what Flaubert had in his house when he died, complete with illustrations.