I choose to write my final paper on Flaubert’s Sentimental Education because I enjoyed reading it, as I did Les Trois Contes.  But I have found it extremely difficult and have really struggled trying to write about it.  My interpretation has changed with each time that I read it, or even sections of it.  I read it a certain way and felt that I could argue it reasonably well, and then I would realize I could discount it as ‘reasonably well’.  So I would discard and start over.  I have found the same thing with the articles I choose.  The ideas were presented well and the argument logical, but I read them with some ambiguity.   I think Flaubert intentionally wrote the text open to several interpretations, even spelling out more than one reason as a response.  For example in the final scene with Mme Arnoux and Frédéric, he rejects her assumed proposition for either incest or degrading the ideal.  The narrator suggests both of them and both story lines are present throughout the text.  Even the final scene and the final exclamation that is supposed to reveal the lesson of the education, when Frédéric and Deslauriers conclude that the best they have been was as youth going together to the locate prostitutes.  Whether they are referring to a brotherhood male friendship theme or an innocence of the emotional and physical contact with women therefore preserving the unity of ideal and real woman, or a lost desires theme is up for grabs.  Further, whatever is chosen is called into question by Deslauriers in the last sentence.  His agreement is in the from of a question, not in the English version I have, but in the folio French edition, “Oui, peut-être bien?  Maybe so? that was the best we were.  This makes this novel enjoyable to read, but I hope never to write about him again. 
          My thesis is that there are two critiques in the novel, the Paris bourgeoisie and female relationships.  Both of these critiques, economics and love, are mirages, and both are morphed into a single sentiment towards Mrs. Arnoux.  The education of Fred is distinguishing illusion from reality in these two aspects of his life, the Paris bourgeoisie and his own economic status and the polemic categorization of the females in this life.  I think the opening and closing scenes tell the story.  The boat scene where they all meet indicate Frédéric’s desire to be have Mr. Arnoux’s place in society, between the art world and financial and social success, and this is the basis of his obsession with the Arnoux’s, not romantic attachment to Mrs. Arnoux, at least initially. I could be wrong, but this is how I read the novel and I’m sticking with it…