1. Compare the characters of Sarah and Ernestina. In what ways are they affected by Victorian attitudes towards women? In what ways do their different social and economic status affect their experiences? 2. Compare the lives of Sam, Mary, and other members of the working class with those of their […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essay Structure, Style, and Technique in The French Lieutenant’s Woman
In The French Lieutenant’s Woman, John Fowles does not merely recreate a Victorian novel; neither does he parody one. He does a little of both, but also much more. The subject of this novel is essentially the same as that of his other works: the relationship between life and art, […]
Read more Critical Essay Structure, Style, and Technique in The French Lieutenant’s WomanJohn Fowles Biography
John Fowles was born in 1926 in Bedford, England. After graduation from Oxford University, where he studied French, he taught in France and also for several years on a Greek island, then returned to England and worked on his first novel, The Collector, published in 1963. After its publication, and […]
Read more John Fowles BiographySummary and Analysis Chapters 56-61
Charles engages detectives to look for Sarah, but they fail. In the meantime, he receives a letter from Mr. Freeman, delivered by his solicitor, requesting that he attend a meeting with Freeman and his solicitors if he wishes to avoid facing an action in a suit for a breach of […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 56-61Summary and Analysis Chapters 48-55
Charles, distraught by his encounter with Sarah, confronts himself. He leaves Endicott’s Family Hotel, walking rapidly down a street in a poorer section of Exeter. He passes a church and is drawn to it. As he enters, the curate tells Charles that it is closing time. Charles asks if he […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 48-55Summary and Analysis Chapter 47
The two lovers lie in each other’s arms. We see this moment from Charles’ point of view. His conduct horrifies him, as it can only horrify a Victorian gentleman who believes that no well-bred woman enjoys or desires physical lovemaking. Furthermore, we see an interesting contrast in this chapter when […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter 47Summary and Analysis Chapters 45-46
At last, we realize the “truth” about the events of the novel: At Exeter, Charles decided to stop for the night, not consciously realizing it, but intending all the same to visit Sarah. He still believes that his visit is nothing more than an attempt to end the affair in […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 45-46Summary and Analysis Chapters 38-44
Charles leaves the Freeman residence in London. The foggy evening outside provides an apt metaphor for his depressed mood. He does not know why he attempted to impress upon his future father-in-law the gravity of his reduced circumstances, but it is apparent to the reader that Charles vaguely hoped that […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 38-44Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-37
Returning to the hay-shed where Charles and Sarah are discovered by Sam and Mary, we witness Charles and Sam confronting one another. Sam now knows for certain, though he had suspected before, that Charles is involved with Sarah. Sam’s desire that Charles marry Ernestina is threatened by this relationship, but […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 33-37Summary and Analysis Chapters 28-32
Here, Fowles inserts a recounting of Lieutenant de La Ronciere, based on the evidence of Marie de Morell, the sixteen-year-old daughter of Ronciere’s commanding officer. Marie, it seems, provided false evidence in the form of “poison-pen threats” allegedly written by Ronciere. Although numerous contemporary observers of the trial protested the […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapters 28-32