The pharmacist of the town of Yonville, who pretends to be enlightened but is actually shallow, bigoted, opportunistic, and extremely talkative.
He has an opinion on everything; he worships newspapers, the press, and science (while emptying them of meaning). He uses everyone for his own personal ambitions. He is the architect of many external events—such as Charles taking on the failed clubfoot surgery in the name of science—that reinforce Emma's disappointment with Charles. He constantly flatters Charles to avoid being punished for having received a warning against practicing pharmacy without a license.
The character's full story is open to members
Relationships
Bournisien
His arch-rival; two sides of the same coin.
Emma Bovary
He shows her respect, but Emma finds him unbearable and uncouth.
Charles Bovary
He uses him as a shield and exploits his medical ignorance for his own benefit.
