Moral Issue

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catholicchick89

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Hi,

I have a deli ma with a college course I am taking. My teacher told the class that we have to read a particular book and then write a essay on the virtues of the book’s main character. However, the book is Madam Bovary. Basically it deals with eroticism, adultery, and a girl in a convent who leaves and does anything she can to gain worldly pleasure. I feel that this is not the type of book I as a Christian should even read. The main character is devoid of any virtue. Her live is full of adultery, licentiousness, lying, cheating, etc. If it would be a morality essay I would be fine in writing such a paper, in which I could talk about her vices and pitfalls. However I would have to lie to find and expound on any ounce of virtue in the main character. I am getting a degree to be able to teach in a Catholic school. I don’t want to write an essay on a questionable book that could negatively affect my record with any school that might hire me. Moreover, I don’t want to expose myself to something that could lead me to sin or could serve as a near occasion of sin. Should I take this course and do the assignment, or should I take this course with another teacher next semester (who doesn’t use this book)?

Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Angie
 
There is nothing wrong in reading/watching questionable moral material for the purposes of study; unless you feel that it would jeopardize your own faith in some way.

How do you know, without having read the book, that the character is without any moral virtue? How do you know that there isn’t an opportunity to write a good essay without compromising your beliefs in some way?
 
Take the class. Read the book. If the character hasn’t got any virtues, say so in the paper. No school is going to refuse to hire you because you were assigned an unworthy book to read. How would they even find out?
 
If you can take the course another tome this would certainly be a viable option.
However, as an earlier poster asked, how do you know that the character has no redeeming qualities if you have not read the book?

Jesus associated with sinners, He dined with them and scandalized the Pharisees.

My suggestion is that you read the book and write the best essay you can expressing your honest evaluation of the Character after reading the book.

Peace
James
 
Sometimes, the best way to learn what Christianity is, is to study what it is not. To read a story about falling into vices can serve to teach just what practicing the virutes entails – and its difficulties.

Madam Bovary is considered a classic, and I’m pretty sure any future employer would be impressed that you actually read one, as so few people do anymore. (Although, as a previous poster pointed out, how would anyone know you read it, or any other book for that matter.)

I think you should take the class, read the book, write the essay. Look at the main character not simply “as someone who does anything she can to gain worldly pleasure”, but as someone who was idealistic in her view of love but suffered deep disappointment in not being able to achieve that. Look more deeply than just her actions; look at what motivated her.
 
REad the book. We live in the world and of the world. We cannot argue with the world and evangelize to the world if we refuse to be part of the world. I have not personally read the book however, here is a good starting point. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madame_Bovary Maybe you could look at the virtues of Charles Bovary as a husband who is trying to care for his adulterous wife and is ever-forgiving.
 
read the book and do the assignment
the book itself is a morality essay

you might also want, for some insight to read the book of the prophet Hosea in the old testament
 
puzzleannie said:
read the book and do the assignment
the book itself is a morality essay

you might also want, for some insight to read the book of the prophet Hosea in the old testament
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Great comment!

I’d like to add the prophet Ezekiel to that. There are passages in the book of Ezekiel (Chapters 16 and 23) that many Internet sites snigger over, calling them “dirty bits”, etc. Actually, these passages - though making use of sexual metaphors - are actually poetic indictments of the infidelity and idolatry of Israel and Judah. And let’s not forget the Canticle of Canticles 😉

And, if I recall correctly, Gustave Flaubert - author of Madame Bovary - was actually prosecuted for obscenity for writing the novel, and defended himself by pointing out that his work had a moral purpose. (I’ve read his defence long ago, in the original French, so pardon me if I’m misremembering here!) Actually, though the book portrays adultery, it is actually a critique of the Romantic movement (Flaubert was a “Realist”), and also criticizes the contradictions of the culture that the author was living in.

To the original poster: my advice to you would be to have a look at the material about the trial (I’m sure it’s out there) and to provide an honest answer to the assignment from your perspective, but also taking into account what the author was trying to convey.
 
Lost_Sheep said:
Originally Posted by 1ke
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In general, as it is commonly used here, Scrupulosity is a bad thing. It finds sin in everything.
However, being very careful - whether one calls it Scrupulous or not - is not a bad thing.

The problem usually stems from a spiritual immaturity and/or lack of focus. To great a focus on sin and it’s avoidance and too little focus on God, who is Love, and on embracing that Love to ourselves.

Peace
James
Click to expand...
 
catholicchick89 said:
Hi,

I have a deli ma with a college course I am taking. My teacher told the class that we have to read a particular book and then write a essay on the virtues of the book’s main character. However, the book is Madam Bovary. Basically it deals with eroticism, adultery, and a girl in a convent who leaves and does anything she can to gain worldly pleasure. I feel that this is not the type of book I as a Christian should even read. The main character is devoid of any virtue. Her live is full of adultery, licentiousness, lying, cheating, etc. If it would be a morality essay I would be fine in writing such a paper, in which I could talk about her vices and pitfalls. However I would have to lie to find and expound on any ounce of virtue in the main character. I am getting a degree to be able to teach in a Catholic school. I don’t want to write an essay on a questionable book that could negatively affect my record with any school that might hire me. Moreover, I don’t want to expose myself to something that could lead me to sin or could serve as a near occasion of sin. Should I take this course and do the assignment, or should I take this course with another teacher next semester (who doesn’t use this book)?

Any (name removed by moderator)ut would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Angie
Click to expand...
I wonder. What would Blessed Mother Theresa say? or St. Francis or the Little Flower?
 
My 2 cents:

Read the book objectively and write your essay objectively. I would see nothing wrong with reading Madame Bovary just to enlighten yourself as to what the book is all about. Just because you read it doesn’t necessarily mean it will have an adverse effect on your faith. If you get a good grade, so much the better. It will better your reputation as a scholar.

I’m sure many of the Church’s leaders read The Da Vinci Code to see what the controversy was all about and to prepare themselves for an intelligent argument when they had to repudiate it. That doesn’t mean they believe in it.
 
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