French Lietenants Woman

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French Lietenants Woman

Existentialism, a philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness, isolation and freedom upon and individual is a major theme in John Fowles’, The French Lieutenants Woman. Is our life ordained by the superior, or do we power our future? In chapter 13, Fowles interrupts the narration and notes the natural aspects of writing as a novelist, the freedom of the characters that he has created, and the time and structure o f the novel itself. Though awkward to incorporate the authors visions in their own literature, it is manipulated fiction, meta-fiction that is, which perhaps is a subject of major interest amongst the readers of The French Lieutenants Woman. At first, in chapter 13, it becomes evident that he himself, Fowles, is uncertain of his writings, “I do not know” he immediately confirms. By the third paragraph he has repeated the word “perhaps” five times, demonstrating Fowles puzzlement of whether he restrains his characters, or, they control him? Fowles addresses on behalf of all novelists, and comments on the natural features of writing, that a novelist has no predetermined illustration from chapter one.

Fowles also states, “We wish to create worlds as real as, but other than the world that is”(pg.81), which associates to how this novel is a classical Victorian one, but, from a a modern perception. Fowles tries to link the idea of a modern perspective with existentialism, that it is no longer like the pre-ordained Victorians, but the concept that his characters are free from authority. Although Fowles aims to attaining a point of focus in chapter 13, he repeatedly, violently and offensively comments on God and faith. He sates, that he “The novelist stands next to God”, which is an scarce feature amongst people in general, the suggestion of equating yourself to God. Not only does Fowles reveal this, but following that he concludes “He may not know all, yet he tries to pretend that he does,” which may well suggest also God “does not know all”. This comparison is again evident, “the novelist is still a God, since he creates…” (pg.82).

In addition, Fowles does not understand that in much of his views, he is speaking on behalf of thousands of authors, which possibly will find his comments rather offending.

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