The Transformation of Heroines’ ideas about Family Happiness in the Novels “Madame Bovary” by G. Flaubert, “Anna Karenina” by L. N. Tolstoy, and “Love and Tears” by J. Fazel

The article examines the transformation (metamorphosis) of ideas about family happiness among the heroines of Gustave Flaubert's novel “Madame Bovary” (1856), Leo Tolstoy's “Anna Karenina” (1873–1877), and Javad Fazel Larijani's “Love and Tears” (1952). The analysis demonstrates how illusory notions of love and happiness, shaped by romantic ideals, lead to crises in the heroines' lives and ultimately to their tragic demise. The central issue lies in the discrepancy between dreams and reality, as well as the detrimental impact of unrealistic expectations on personal and family life. The study reveals that Emma Bovary, Anna Karenina, and Mahin, facing disappointment in marriage, seek happiness in love affairs; however, their pursuits are doomed to failure. The article identifies similarities and differences in the development of the plotlines and the heroines' inner evolution, determining the factors influencing their choices and worldviews. The analysis establishes that key aspects of the transformation of happiness ideas include the idealization of love, the influence of aristocratic society, and a lack of self-awareness. The study emphasizes that in all three works, family happiness is contrasted with illusory expectations, the latter leading to personal destruction and tragic outcomes.

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