How does Flaubert criticize the institution of family and marriage in Madame Bovary? I need to write an essay and was also wondering if these were good points to talk about.

1. Emma's childhood and the education of girls sets them up for disappointment in marriage because their prince charming is not real

2. The restrictions society places on women forces them to turn to corrupt things to gain power and it forces them to neglect their children or try to live through them

3.It is not Emma's fault that she turned out this way as she could only get power through adultery. She was controlled by her vision of fantasy and it led to her disappointment along with what society expected from her.

Yes, these points can serve as a good foundation for your essay on how Gustave Flaubert criticizes the institution of family and marriage in Madame Bovary. Let's break it down further:

1. Emma's childhood and the education of girls: In Madame Bovary, Flaubert showcases Emma's romanticized expectations of marriage, shaped by her upbringing and the societal ideals imposed on girls. He criticizes the way girls are taught to believe in the fairy tale notion of finding their "prince charming." This false expectation leads Emma to constant disappointment when her real-life relationships fail to live up to her romantic fantasies.

To explore this point further, you can explore specific scenes or instances in the novel that highlight Emma's disillusionment with marriage and the discrepancy between her expectations and reality. This could involve discussing her initial disappointment with her husband Charles, her seduction by Rodolphe, or her affair with Léon.

2. Restrictions imposed by society: Flaubert critiques the societal restrictions placed upon women in Madame Bovary, which limit their agency and force them to seek unconventional means to gain power or escape their mundane lives. These limitations can drive women to engage in corrupt behaviors or neglect their responsibilities, including their duties as mothers.

To analyze this aspect, you can cite instances in the novel where Emma's desire for power or escape leads her astray. Moreover, consider how society's expectations about women's roles and their lack of autonomy contribute to Emma's feelings of entrapment, eventually leading her to seek liberation outside marriage and family.

3. Emma's lack of agency and control: Flaubert portrays Emma as a victim of circumstances—a woman trapped between her own fantastical visions of love and society's expectations of her. He highlights how Emma's longing for passion, adventure, and power, which society denies her, drives her towards seeking fulfillment through adultery. Flaubert's criticism lies in his depiction of a society that offers no meaningful alternatives for women to realize their desires or find satisfaction within the confines of traditional marriage and family.

To delve deeper into this point, analyze the role of society's expectations and its impact on Emma's choices. Discuss how her desperation for fulfillment, fueled by societal constraints, ultimately leads to her downfall. You can also explore how Flaubert's characterization of other female characters, such as Madame Bovary senior or Homais' wife, adds to the broader critique of the institution of family and marriage.

Remember to support your essay with textual evidence, specific examples, and analysis of Flaubert's narrative techniques to fully demonstrate how he criticizes the institution of family and marriage in Madame Bovary.