Bovaryism

Bovaryism refers to a psychological tendency characterized by idealizing romantic fantasies and seeking escapes from mundane reality through desire for an extraordinary, often unattainable, ideal. Named after Gustav Flaubert's novel "Madame Bovary," it describes individuals who continually pursue idealized romantic notions, leading to dissatisfaction and emotional turmoil when reality falls short. Essentially, Bovaryism reflects a tendency to imagine a perfect life or love that doesn't align with everyday experiences, causing longing and sometimes reckless or self-destructive behavior in pursuit of these fantasies.