How does Gustave Flaubert’s writing show that people see reality differently?

Gustave Flaubert undermined the notion of a stable, objective reality by emphasizing that any version of the world is relative to the individual perceiving it. Rather than simply transcribing a "slice of life," he used his artistry to mold language to the specific personality, ambitions, and limitations of his characters.1

In his major novels, such as Madame Bovary and Sentimental Education, Flaubert demonstrates this subjectivity through:

• Character-Specific Perspectives: He crafted syntactic rhythms and imagery drawn directly from each character’s unique experience and historical situation.1
• Illusory Worldviews: Characters like Emma Bovary attempt to force the world to fit their preconceived, romanticized images, while others, like the apothecary Homais, interpret reality through the lens of "received ideas" (idées reçues).1
• Authorial Irony: Flaubert maintained an unobtrusive but analytical presence, using his style to highlight the gap between his characters' subjective illusions and the banality of the modern world.1

Ultimately, Flaubert portrayed reality as a construct shaped by the individual's own desires, social conventions, and historical context.1