Luke’s Reviews > A Sentimental Education > Status Update

Flaubert sure does have quite the imagination when it comes to being an apologist for the class system, doesn't he.

The events of the duel are my favorite part of the work thus far.

Frédéric was overcome with joy and had difficulty in restraining himself from singing; he felt the need to share his happiness with someone, to perform some act of charity. He looked around to see if there was anybody needing help. There was no poor wretch in sight at the moment; his generous impulse petered out; and he was never one to go out searching for that kind of opportunity.

This is engaging enough in its own right, but my lord, the way in which cishet white men are allowed to waste their way around with money certainly says a lot about the state of both today and way back when.