Madame Bovary · Character

Berthe Bovary

The young daughter of Charles and Emma.

minor

Also known as little Berthe

First appearance: part ii vii

Berthe Bovary's tie to Charles Bovary is one of the pressures that moves Madame Bovary—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Inadvertently becomes the target of Emma's frustration, is pushed and cuts her cheek, highlighting the tension in the household.

In the storyVIOpen this moment free

Berthe Bovary first appears in 0017 part ii vii.

With Charles Bovary (family): Charles is the loving but neglectful father to his young daughter, Berthe, doted on after Emma's death. With Emma Bovary (family): Emma is a neglectful and resentful mother who sees her daughter as an obstacle to her dreams of luxury and passion.

See Berthe Bovary in VI Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

Character Web

12 connections

A slice of how Berthe Bovary sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Other

Character groups

Central Characters
Secondary & Tertiary Figures

+7 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This scene represents Emma's ultimate psychological exposure and humiliation, as her private life—from dresses…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Charles Bovary
family · positive
Charles is the loving but neglectful father to his young daughter, Berthe, doted on after… How this plays out →
Emma Bovary
family · negative

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Berthe Bovary in part ii vii

In the story

Berthe Bovary appears across 6 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

VI
Inadvertently becomes the target of Emma's frustration, is pushed and cuts her cheek, highlighting the tension in the household.
The Letter and the Abyss
Present during Emma's collapse, scared and crying, reaching out to her unresponsive mother.
Chapter VI
A neglected child, wearing stockings with holes, who cries when Charles tries to teach her to read and asks for her mother.
The Final Desperation
Her innocent presence and questions at Emma's bedside highlight the tragic consequences of her mother's actions.
IX
Mentioned as being taken to Madame Homais' house during the aftermath.
XI
The neglected child, initially asking for her mother, then forgetting. She is poorly dressed and cared for by a charwoman, but her sweetness provides Charles with bittersweet comfort.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Berthe Bovary unlock in the free preview.

See Berthe Bovary in part ii vii

See Berthe Bovary in VI