An existential approach to freedom of choice in John Fowles's the French Lieutenant's Woman

This thesis concerns itself with a comprehensive analysis of John Fowles's novel The French Lieutenant's Woman with a special focus on the philosophy of existentialism. The main argument of this study is that, as a typical example of postmodern fiction, The French Lieutenant's Woman explores the idea of existential freedom in a historical perspective. The study also reveals Fowles's conviction that existential freedom is a significant challenge that confronts the individual with the need to prove his existence. Fowles presents existential freedom throughout the narrative process and the conduct of the employed narrator and the characters. Fowles puts the readers in a position where they can exercise freedom of choice. The study proves that The French Lieutenant's Woman is a postmodern novel though, on the surface, it looks like a Victorian novel. This study explains the basic elements that make the novel a distinctively postmodern work. Furthermore, this thesis aims to show that The French Lieutenant's Woman reflects a worldview which challenges the traditional narrative techniques. The study also illustrates the way Fowles criticizes and breaks up the established methods of the traditional narrative style.