Emma Bovary, trapped in a mundane marriage to a provincial doctor, seeks to escape her reality through romantic fantasies and illicit affairs. Driven by an insatiable desire for the luxury and passion depicted in sentimental literature, Emma attempts to reshape her life to match her idealized expectations. She faces the rigid social constraints of 19th-century French provincial life and the crushing mediocrity of her husband, Charles. Her pursuit of fulfillment leads to a series of financial and moral compromises that isolate her from her community. The narrative employs a third-person perspective that maintains a clinical distance, allowing the reader to observe the protagonist's descent into ruin with objective clarity.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the precision of Flaubert's prose, noting how his detached style serves to emphasize the tragedy of Emma's situation. Discussion often centers on the tension between Emma's romantic delusions and the stifling reality of her environment, which remains a central point of analysis for scholars. Many readers observe that while the pacing is deliberate, the character development is exceptionally thorough, providing a deep look into the consequences of unchecked desire. The work is widely regarded for its influence on the development of realism, with many noting that the narrative's refusal to pass moral judgment allows for a complex reading of the protagonist's choices.