Emma and Hedda s Downfall, Foreshadowed

Her death isn t but a few days after she carps about the house s smell. When Ejlert speaks of Thea s, "infinite courage- after calling Hedda a coward, Hedda implies that if she has courage, she will be able to keep on living in spite of everything (Ibsen 221). Later, Hedda says that she d rather die than face a scandal (Ibsen 262). As it turns out, she faces a scandal and, therefore, kills herself "beautifully."".
             Characterization foreshadows the downfalls of these two women. Flaubert, characterizing Emma Bovary by her behavior, effectively implies her destruction. She falls ill after Léon leaves for Paris. She often has, "dizzy spells [and] spat blood,"" (Flaubert 109). She also experiences ailment once Rodolphe leaves her. Everything that reminded Emma of Rodolphe makes her sick. When Charles tells her to sit down on the garden bench, the one that she and Rodolphe used to sit on, she, "has a dizzy spell and her illness begins again,"" (Flaubert 181). These run-ins with malady means that she has a weak state of being. Throughout the book, she falls in and out of periods of ill health because of the heartache she experiences with Rodolphe and Léon.
             Along with becoming sick after losing a lover, Emma is also infamous for buying frivolous objects. It is stated that, "she wears all sorts of bracelets, rings, and necklaces,"" (Flaubert 162). She adorns herself with this expensive jewelry to impress her lovers, first Rodolphe, then Léon. The further in the story, the more extravagant her purchases from Monsieur Lheureux becomes. And the more she acquires from him, the more in debt she becomes. This characterization of greed and thoughtless, prurient habits foreshadows her financial fall.
             In his own way, Ibsen creates characterization to foreshadow Hedda s downfall through her actions. Out of "boredom,"" Hedda hurts Aunt Julia s feelings when she, "pretends [her new hat] is the maid s,"" (Ibsen 206).