Short story of great literary quality. It tells the story of Félicité, an affable, seemingly insignificant person, who was employed for years as a domestic servant in a rural region of northwestern France demanding very little in return. Despite her unhappy childhood and unrequited love, she bears no resentment and spreads compassion wherever she is, as can be seen in her loving care for the family's children, her nephew or her “parrot” when everything is falling apart around her. In his simplicity she puts a lot of effort in everything. In this story Flaubert deploys his pen and with great beauty describes Felicité's life and the customs and landscape of Brittany, a rural area he knew well.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a French writer well known especially for his work “Madame Bovary” which was his literary consecration. Before writing, he researched his subject; he proceeded with realism and precise prose.