# Berthe Bovary — Madame Bovary character guide

> Berthe Bovary in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** little Berthe

**First appearance:** 0017-part-ii-vii

## Who they are

The young daughter of Charles and Emma.

## Relationships

### [Charles Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/charles_bovary)

_family_

Charles is the loving but neglectful father to his young daughter, Berthe, doted on after Emma's death.

### [Emma Bovary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/emma_bovary)

_family_

Emma is a neglectful and resentful mother who sees her daughter as an obstacle to her dreams of luxury and passion.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

Present during Emma's collapse, scared and crying, reaching out to her unresponsive mother.

### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-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](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-viii)

Her innocent presence and questions at Emma's bedside highlight the tragic consequences of her mother's actions.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-ix)

Mentioned as being taken to Madame Homais' house during the aftermath.

### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-iii-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.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters/berthe_bovary
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/characters