Fiction Under the traditional realism significance——Reading of The French Lieutenant’s Woman

Fiction Under the traditional realism significance——Reading of The French Lieutenant’s Woman 

ABSTRACT

John Fowles is one of the famous English novelists in 20th century. The French Lieutenant’s Woman is very important in his creation. The prologue gives a brief introduction to the contemporary studies on this novel at home and abroad. It has been done rather deeply abroad. However, among these studies, there is only few attention paid to the postmodernistic character of the novel through female figure. This thesis aims to inquire deeply into The French Lieutenant’s Woman viewed from postmodernistic perspective on the basis of the former researches.

 The conclusion emphasizes the unique figure of Sara, different from but at the same time belongs to the group of “Victorian rebels” in 19th century. As is created by Fowles who lives in 20th century, it must reflect on the thoughts of the author. Facing various crises in all aspects of English novels in the 1960’s, Fowles, by his own work, disapproved the thesis that “the novel will die”, and therefore explored an avenue for English novels in the post-war era. 

Key words: The French Lieutenant’s Woman； Sara； Postmodernism

CONTENT

Abstract I

Introduction 1

Chapter I.  Overview of Postmodernism 1

1.1 What is Postmodernism? 1

1.2 Important Features of the Postmodern Fiction 3

Chapter II.  John Fowles’s View of Writing and The French Lieutenant’s Woman 4

2.1 John Fowles’s View of Writing 4

2.2 John Fowles and The French Lieutenant’s Woman 6

Chapter III.  Postmodernism interpretation of the French lieutenant's woman 8

3.1 Language of The French Lieutenant's Woman 8

3.2 Point of View of The French Lieutenant's Woman 9

Conclusion 12

Work Cited 14