Flaubert wrote these three stories at the end of his life when he almost ruined. Writing is a challenge for him because he should know: his work is behind him. It can not exceed the style of Madame Bovary or Sentimental Education, and yet he will engage in an exercise that had already practiced in his youth with short stories like "A perfume to smell."
A simple heart is probably the best known of the three stories: it tells the story of a modest servant in the life of the Bishop-Pont which no event can disturb the monotonous existence. This tale is one that in the writing and in the scenario most closely resembles Flaubert. He just here to tell the devotion of a wife to his mistress that hardly gives him attention. So a very simple life, much like that of Madame Bovary but here it is a home that does not even have the leisure to love stories. The narration is slow as the life of Bliss (the maid), descriptions of loneliness of the young woman succeed and we see it look for outlets to escape the gloom that haunts (it will take passion for parrot). Those who did not like "Sentimental Education" or "Madame Bovary" can spend their way here as they may be bored, it would be better that they linger in the following story.
"Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller" probably, three stories, one that looks more like a real fairy. This story was inspired to author looking at the windows of the cathedral of Rouen. We plunge into the Middle Ages and follows the adventures of Julian, a knight enamored of violence and hunting who one day will have revelations of a deer telling him that his destiny is to murder his parents. There was a return to the Oedipus myth, a sort of self-fulfilling prophecy that will bring the heroes on the path of redemption. This is probably a unique case in Flaubert see the personification of animals by example and adopt a style of epic narrative and gasping. The events continue at a frantic speed as the knight on his horse. In short, a surprising tale for those who imagine that Flaubert writing stories that will drag on, without any real incidents, and where the scenario is the opportunity to experiment with his style.
"Herodias" by cons more suitable for all lovers of antiquity and especially to fans of biblical stories. Flaubert rewrote in its own way the story told in chapter 14 of the Gospel of Matthew, that is, the passage concerning the execution of John the Baptist (Iaokanann in the tale). He turns 20 lines lÉvangile into a story combining political and religious intrigue. It was still hard to navigate because if history is short, the list of characters is it very large. Everything becomes confused if you release his attention a few moments. Perhaps he should read it several times to really appreciate the Bible at her side. The atmosphere of the time is very well restored with the description of desert landscapes. The Oriental charm is here perfectly with the sunsets, threatening enemies away in their tents ready to hit and the unforgettable women (but mostly Salome and Herodias his intoxicating dance).
You'll understand there is something for everyone in this collection: melancholy, adventure and history.
The theme linking the three text is probably the loneliness of individuals face their destiny Bliss and his languid role servant who nobody notices, Julien and his struggle to atone for his past sins, and Herod meet its sovereign torments must seal the fate of a famous prophet.
