Just so my devil accusation toward Mr. Homais doesn’t seem too haphazard, here’s more problematic proof:
The conversation he has with the priest, in which he denounces religion, also states that he has some fear of the priest. (381) When the fight escalates, the priest finds it hard to breathe (391) Just before this deabte occurs, but after Madame’s death, Homais receives some pleasure from Charles’s misery. (380)
On page 347, Homais encourages Emma to let her tears flow, and he does likewise to Charles on page 385, to weep.
A funny little play on theory, on page 377, the priest shouts “what the devil” and refers to the actions of Homais.
Homais’s language and “immoral” encouraements to Leon in Chapter 6.
If he isn’t the devil, he’s at least the antagonist. Homais had pride and vanity: he did not want to be shadowed by Charles’s medical talents when he first arrived, and he did not want his family to be richer than his. On page 404, Homais has a ”deep, cunning, criminal vanity.” It propels him and destroys Emma, as she, in her dying wish, asks for a mirror. (383). Homais encourages people to exploit their wants, escalating their vices.
