Subject
Women household employees -- France -- Fiction Books
Best books
Gustave Flaubert
Un coeur simple
"Un coeur simple" by Gustave Flaubert is a short story published in 1877 as part of Three Tales. It follows Felicité, a devoted servant girl whose lover abandons her to avoid military service. Working in a widow's household, she pours her affection into others—her mistress's children, her distant nephew, and eventually a pet parrot. Loss follows her at every turn, yet she continues to love without expectation of return. As her simple, unexamined life draws to a close, her humble devotion takes on an unexpected spiritual dimension.
Gustave Flaubert
Yksinkertainen sydän
"Yksinkertainen sydän" by Gustave Flaubert is a short story published in 1877 as part of Three Tales. It follows Félicité, a devoted servant girl whose lover abandons her for a wealthier woman. She dedicates her life to serving a widow and caring for others, giving freely despite receiving little in return. As everyone she loves dies—from her nephew to her mistress's daughter to her cherished pet parrot—Félicité remains steadfast in her capacity to love, leading to a transcendent moment on her deathbed.
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