# Félicité — Madame Bovary character guide

> Félicité in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0012-part-ii-ii

## Who they are

The Bovarys' maid in Yonville.

## Relationships

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

_professional_

Félicité is Emma's maid and reluctant confidante, complicit in her affairs and witnessing her decline.

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

_professional_

Félicité is Emma's maid and reluctant confidante, complicit in her affairs and witnessing her decline.

## In the story

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

The new young servant; Emma tries to train her as a lady's maid; she secretly takes sugar at night.

### [Arrival in Yonville](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-ii)

The Bovarys' servant; helps prepare the new house after dinner.

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

Witnesses Emma's 'crises' and offers a folkloric comparison, highlighting Emma's isolation.

### [The Deepening Affair and Plans for Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xii)

Constantly washing and ironing Emma's linens, annoyed by Justin's presence. Her own romantic life with Theodore is hinted at.

### [The Letter and the Abyss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii)

Assists Emma with linen, witnesses her receipt of the basket, and helps unlacing her after she collapses.

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

Attends to Emma during her illness and convalescence, mentioned in the scene preparing for communion.

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

Sobs over Emma's body; helps prepare the corpse; arranges a mattress for the grieving Charles.

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

Wears Emma's gowns, contributing to Charles's illusions, then runs off with Theodore, stealing the remainder of the wardrobe.

## Links

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