Three pearls

It is on the end of his literary career as Flaubert, beset by doubt, began writing these three tales. The subjects are varied. There is a contemporary account showing bliss of life, a servant at heart very simple; the caption "medieval" Saint-Julien hospital; and the story of the last moments of execution of John the Baptist. The link between the three is far from clear but you can have the thread of human destiny: a humble, a proud, a prophet and a king. In the three stories, Flaubert shows a consummate mastery of narrative. It is one of those novellistes that mark as the literature of the second half of the nineteenth century: Maupassant, Barbey d'Aurevilly, and later also awaken the Varende.

"A Simple Heart" tells the story or non-story of Bliss, "a good country girl," a bit simplistic, who spent his whole life in a lady servant of the middle bourgeoisie whose fortunes in will decline. Felicity participates in the joys and sorrows of the family, has no ambition, no property except a parrot that will ultimately whimsical stuffed. Flaubert draws a strong path for writing to share this life without passion. All literary art is to arouse the reader's interest for non-events. This works very well with this effective style, and it is to this that we recognize the great masters.

"Legend of Saint Julian the Hospitaller" is of a different kind. Of the three stories is the one that will grab the reader most. As for "a simple heart" is a sui life is told. The life of a person from a wealthy background lords, who take a morbid passion for hunting and war, plunging even cruelty, away from his family because that prophecy was announced the murder of his parents, realizing himself this prophecy, and seeking redemption path. Flaubert succeeds in the same tale to evoke a brilliant history of medieval splendor, like an illuminated book; but also to arouse disgust and horror through the hunting scenes and magnificent in the final lepers. The language is beautiful, simple sentences, perfect the dramatic tension.

"Herodias" will resume the recipe of Orientalism that made the success of "Salammbo." The action takes place at the court of King Herod Antipas in the 30s AD, when a prophet preaching leveling mountains and filling valleys is put into gaol. Flaubert shows in a colorful story but more complex the last hours of John the Baptist, the banquet of the king, political compromises and dance of Salome. The story is more complex because the characters intersect, this is not the presentation of a linear life, all the action is picked up in a few short hours. The vocabulary is rich is chosen, the author knowing fully well put the reader in the mood.

Three stories that are three small literary pearls, well chiselled, and to which we enjoy coming back. Read texts of such quality relies eyes!