The French Lieutenant's Woman

"Good literature is not an escape from reality, it is in fact a plunge into a deeper reality where universal truths are glimpsed." According to the above definition, John Fowles' book is an excellent example of good literature. He has created a timeless piece of fiction which provides the reader with thoughtful insight into the challenges facing both the Victorian era and humanity in general. His characters are incredibly life-like and well developed, lending a great sense of realism ...

of change that brings on the desire to be different, to be an individual. Sarah's personality can be related to by everyone who has ever felt the need to be unique. She is a symbol of humanity's desire for freedom and escape from the pressures of trying to be socially accepted. Social acceptance often requires a balance between give and take and this is revealed through Charles' compromising type of character. At the beginning he appears the exact opposite of Sarah, a shining example of ... On page 316 of the novel The French Lieutenant's Woman author John Fowles briefly interrupts the fiction to discuss with the reader his role as a novelist. He has come up with two very different endings to the novel and wishes to share both with his readers. However, he cannot give two storyline endings simultaneously, and if one comes before another, the final chapter will seem more potent than the first. In trying not to side with any particular characters he decides on a coin toss to ... the author thinks of. Why would a character ever not be able to do whatever the author thinks of ? There are no written rules that authors must conform to while writing a novel about how characters must behave, and that a character must stay in character. The identity of the character is constantly changing as the novel progresses, constantly being updated since the reader has only a brief glimpse into the life of a character in the novel. I think it would be quite rare for an author to not ...

Society creates moral codes and values that define the way a person must live. The individuals identity is seized and fades because of criticism that is imposed on those who do not conform. The fear of one being labeled as an outcast provokes them to assimilate with the norms of society. However, there are instances in which individuals do not adhere to the norm of society and as a result struggle to overcome various obstacles they confront. John Fowles, author of The French ... up their individual freedom and fitting right into a stereotype that contains its own rules and standards that must be abided by. This same sort of thing is apparent in Charles. The life that Charles lives is that of a rich Victorian, not worrying about a care and not having to work in life many times being bored because he has nothing to do as in the following example;

And the evenings! Those gas lit hours that had to be filled, and without benefit of cinema or television! For those who ...

The narrator opens the The French Lieutenant's Woman withbackground information on Lyme Regis, where the story is initially set. He then introduces Charles Smithson, a thirty-two-year-oldgentleman and his young fiancee, Ernestina Freeman, who are taking a walk along the Cobb, made famous by Jane Austen in her novel Persuasion. The action begins in 1867, but the narrator often breaks into the narrative, noting that the story is being related in the twentieth century. He does this initially by comparing the Cobb to a contemporary Henry Moore sculpture. Charles and Tina's walk is interrupted by the presence of a woman in a dark cape, standing alone at the end of the Cobb, staring out to sea. Tina explains to a curious Charles what she has heard about the woman, known as "Tragedy"....

Ernestina Freeman
The narrator introduces Tina, Charles' pretty fiancee, as a typical Victorian womanobedient and demure, with an intense fear of sexuality. Yet she also displays an uncommonly strong will and a sense of self-irony, along with a sense of humor, without which "she would have been a horrid spoiled child." She reveals her shallowness in her petty response to the news that Charles may lose his inheritance and title.

Dr. Grogan
Dr. Grogan is Charles' old bachelor friend and confidant. He encourages Charles to view Sarah as a fascinating study in human behavior but tries to dissuade him from entering into a relationship with her.

Mrs. Poulteney
Mrs. Poulteney takes in Sarah to prove her own pious, charitable nature. She is "the epitome of all the.....

Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Summary

The French Lieutenant's Woman is John Fowles' novel of love andbetrayal in 1867 England. The author writes for Victorian mores of the time while, interjecting modern inventions and ideologies to act as anachronisms throughout. Fowles also uses the interesting technique of positioning himself both as narrator and as occasional character in the story. The story begins in March 1867, as Charles Smithson and his fiancye, Ernestina Freeman, walk along an embankment called The Cobb arching into Lyme Bay in southwestern England. The narrator notes that Charles and Ernestina are dressed fashionably for the time in contrast to the dark figure of a woman leaning against a cannon staring out to sea. As Charles and Ernestina walk back toward the village of Lyme Regis, Ernestina informs Charles that the solitary woman had.....

Chapters 4, 5, and 6 Summary

The narrator introduces Mrs. Poulteney, a dowager in Lyme Regis society, who runs a very strict household managed by Mrs. Fairley, the only person on the domestic staff who has managed to stay in Mrs. Poulteney's despotic employ. Mrs. Poulteney's influence extends past her own home, and the entire town cowers at her countenance. One of the most obsequious people who visits Mrs. Poulteney is the vicar of Lyme, who tries to counsel Mrs. Poulteney on her almost guaranteed entrance into heaven, in spite of her parsimonious ways. As Mrs. Poulteney ages, she realizes that she may need to accelerate some spiritually driven acts and asks the vicar to recommend a needy person whom she could hire as an assistant and, at the same time, secure heavenly approval. The vicar suggests the.....

Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 Summary

One morning, Charles rises to sunshine and summer temperatures, which are rare for a March morning by the sea in England. Charles' spirits are high. He rises, dresses, and teases his servant, Sam, about never returning to London because of the pleasant location. Charles is aware that Sam is fond of Mary, the servant at Aunt Tranter's house and likes to tease him about his love life. Sam is a typical Cockney with the accent of a working man, but Charles is fond of Sam and enjoys his company, especially when they are away from friends in London. Upon arriving at Aunt Tranter's house, Charles learns that Ernestina does not feel well. Charles promises to return later and orders Sam to have some flowers delivered to Ernestina that morning.