The view from the sideline

In class we discussed and analyzed the form of writing called 'free indirect style'. Most of A Simple Soul by Gilbert Flaubert is written in this style. Even though it is narrating the story of a young girl called Felicite and how her life changes throughout the years, we can see how this style actually makes the reader understand how the protagonist is feeling even though it does not say it directly. Personally, I find this style makes you feel as if you were there witnessing what is being told in the story. In other words, as if you were an spectator on the sideline. There might not be a great need for elaborate descriptions, but the word choice changes everything and the tone it is written also. 

"She opened it gladly for Monsieur Bourais, a retired lawyer. His
bald head and white cravat, the ruffling of his shirt, his flowing
brown coat, the manner in which he took his snuff, his whole
person, in fact, produced in her the kind of awe which we feel
when we see extraordinary persons. As he managed Madame's estates,
he spent hours with her in Monsieur's study; he was in constant
fear of being compromised, had a great regard for the magistracy

and some pretensions to learning." 

This passage is a great example of how Flaubert uses the indirect style. In the first few sentences, there is a vivid description but if you pay close attention and at times you might have to read it more the once, we can detect Felicite's opinion in the description without actually saying that this is what she thinks of the man. Also towards the end of the passage there is a description of his personality which is the perfect example of how Felicite regards him as.