Gooseberry

I do remember Grandma Mabel’s crack medical diagnostic skills. But, if I remember correctly, she actually thought you had a hammer toe (not a clubfoot). I think you were sitting on the floor crossing your toes, so it was an honest mistake. (I also remember when she briefly thought you had scurvy when were standing in line to order at fast food restaurant.)

In my quiet moments over the last few days, I’ve found myself pondering the title of Madame Bovary. Obviously, it’s a very fitting title. Afterall, the book does revolve around the comings and goings, thoughts and feelings, loves and hates of, one Emma “Madame” Bovary. But as I said, in my quiet moments, I’ve been thinking about alternate titles. A few I’ve mentioned before, but here are some I’ve come up with:

The Many Loves of Emma B
You, Me, and Ennui
Bovary Does It
Emma and the Boys
Things To Do in a French Country Town When You’re Bored
Malpractice!
Bored (And Loving it!)
Gooseberry

I think I might just have an until now hidden knack for titling. What do you think?

Justin

Podiatry

Here are the first words I read of Madame Bovary after your last post where you mentioned podiatry:

Homais had recently read an article praising a new method for curing clubfoot; and since he was an enthusiast for progress, he thought up the patriotic notion that Yonville, ‘to put itself on the map,’ should have some operations for talipes, as he called it.

How did you divine this strange twist in the tale…peeking ahead? The occult?

Well it won’t be much of a surprise but in the spirit of foretelling things to come…I see yet another post coming from you soon re: Charles’s Ineptitude (let’s just say the clubfoot treatment doesn’t go well).

And do you remember the time Grandma Mabel thought I had clubfoot (I was playing with my toes…I was weird kid)…I’m just glad she didn’t have one of Dr. Bovary’s “Club Foot Box Cure” handy. Oh the humanity.