# Madame Dubuc — Madame Bovary character guide

> Madame Dubuc in Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Dubuc

**First appearance:** 0004-part-i-iii

## Who they are

Charles Bovary's first wife, who dies early in the story.

## In the story

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

Charles's first wife, a forty-five-year-old widow with an income. She is described as ugly, dry, and pimpled, but becomes a domineering master over Charles after their marriage.

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

Charles's first wife. Her jealousy over his visits to the Bertaux escalates into open accusations. Her death is sudden, freeing Charles.

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

Her death is the catalyst for Charles's renewed connection to the Bertaux farm and his eventual courtship of Emma.

### [The Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-iv)

Charles's mother; she is not consulted on any arrangements, does not speak all day, and goes to bed early, highlighting her marginalization.

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

Mentioned in Charles's memory as his first wife, whose 'feet in bed were cold as icicles,' contrasting with his current passion for Emma.

### [Emma's Education in Illusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/madame_bovary_se/chapters/part-i-vi)

Mentioned indirectly as Emma's deceased mother; Emma's exaggerated mourning for her is part of her performance of romantic melancholy.

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

Mentioned in comparison; Charles's late first wife, in whose time his mother felt she was still the favorite.

## Links

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