Gustave Flaubert is often referred to as the master of "Art for Art's Sake." Research the literary movement of realism and the concept of "art for art's sake," and analyze "A Simple Heart" within that context. You might also consider drawing comparisons to realism in visual arts and scientific disciplines.

It is said that Flaubert aimed to write with realistic accuracy, capturing what he observed and employing the precise beauty found in scientific language. Explore how a literary author can be likened to a composer of music or a scientific writer in terms of style, tone, rhythm, or word choice.

Read Madame Bovary and examine the various parallels between that novel and "A Simple Heart." Pay particular attention to the similarities and differences in the worldviews presented in the two works.

"A Simple Heart" was initially titled Le Perroquet (The Parrot). Discuss how each title implies a different perspective or meaning for the story.

Compare Félicité to the character Forrest Gump from the film of the same name. Discuss the similarities and differences between the two works in terms of the messages they convey and the methods they use to convey them.