The Agricultural Show Seduction — Madame Bovary

The famous agricultural show finally comes to Yonville. Flags hang from windows, garlands cover the town hall, and farmers crowd the square. Homais gives lectures on chemistry while Binet drills his firemen and farmers argue over livestock. Emma walks with Rodolphe in a green hat while Charles stays below with the crowd.

Rodolphe leads her upstairs to a council room where officials give long speeches about the king, religion, and farming. Downstairs prizes are announced for crops and livestock. Rodolphe whispers that duty is for dull people and fate brought them together. He says poor women have no distractions while men can hunt and travel. Emma smells his hair oil and thinks of Léon and the ball at Vaubyessard. He takes her hand and does not let go.

An old farm servant named Catherine Leroux wins a silver medal for fifty-four years of work. Homais calls that superstition when she promises to pay for masses. Rodolphe keeps squeezing Emma's hand while the crowd applauds. They walk home together. That night at the failed fireworks Emma leans on Charles's shoulder while Rodolphe watches from the dark. Two days later Homais writes a glowing newspaper article about the fair and the town's progress.