The Prefect's Visit

The town of Yonville is mobilized for the prefect's visit and welcomes him with much pomp and circumstance. The prefect was too busy to come, however, and sent his one of his advisers instead.Still, Tuvache is almost too excited to express "l'honneur que l'on faisait a Yonville." Binet and Tuvache's son wear ill-fitting military gear out of excess excitement. They stand there with sabres in the air, grinning like fools. The speech that the prefect's aid gives honors the importance of the work done by farmers and the importance of the strength  of France. It ends with a reward of a silver medal and 25 francs woman who gave 54 years of service. All the while, Rudolphe and Emma court quietly, somewhere in the background of the situation but the foreground of the narrative.
The incident read as a collection of people getting less than they expected and being completely satisfied. More than completely satisfied, even. They were overjoyed by the tiniest recognition. A silver medal is a fine gesture of recognition, but I would be insulted if I was given just 25 francs for 54 years of service. It was also strange to pick out an old lady from the crowd.To add insult to injury, as she approached slowly, they asked her if she was deaf. Still, she was pleased with herself and not at all offended by her treatment.
Rodolphe and Emma's story continues along the same lines, to some extent. Emma braves the morning dew to visit Rodolphe's castle, but eventually is told that she's being indiscreet. On page 241, the falsity of their bond is stated outright. They both sensed it, and Emma "redoubla de tendresse; et Rodolphe, de moins en moins, cacha son indeference." Still, they go about their courtship passionately regardless of their lack of fulfillment.
Instead of reading the speech as a demonstration of pointless happiness, a more sympathetic interpretation would see it as an example of simple pleasures being appreciated without cynicism. This would put Emma and Rodolphe's conversations in contrast to the situation. They make fun of the villager's clothing, and "la mediocrite provincial,[...] des illusions qui s'y perdaient." (204) They are unable to take the same pleasure out of life that the other villagers have.
I'm still not certain how to read this passage, but it was a strange segment. It almost seemed to mirror the ball scene in that it was a special occasion that was something of a turning point for Emma.