Part 2: Chapter 1 Summary

This chapter mainly deals with a description of Yonville-l'Abbaye. It is a one street town that it rather dull. It is a perfect example of small town, provincial France. The center of excitement in the town is Homais' pharmacy. Another interesting figure is the cemetery caretaker who grows potatoes in an empty part of the cemetery and is in charge of several maintenance activities around town.

Homais waits at the Lion d'Or, the local hotel, for the couple to arrive. The hotel has several boarders and houses the hirondelle, a bus like carriage. Monsieur Binet is one of the hotel boarders. He is described as having something to him, and the priest, is described as a strapping man. He and Homais argue about religion. The hirondelle finally arrives after being delayed because Emma's greyhound ran away. She blamed Charles for the...