The Study Of The Existential "Freedom" Theme In Fowles's Early Novels

As an outstanding novelist in contemporary British literature, John Fowles's novels are famous for the combination of philosophical themes and experimental artistic skills. He has created three excellent works (including The Collector, The Magus and The French Lieutenant's Woman) when British literary world got into hot water. He has infused new blood into novels by means of his creative strength. These novels which created during the period of 1960s belong to Fowles's early creation, and his masterpiece The French Lieutenant's Woman has brought him the international reputation. Fowles is heavily influenced by the existentialism, especially Sartre's theory of"freedom", he once said:"I'm interested in the side of existentialism which deals with freedom"."Freedom"is not only the foundation and core of his philosophical thought, but also a basis theme throughout his literary career. Therefore, this thesis attempts to analysis the existential"freedom"theme deeply and systematically from the overall perspective, in order to reach a deeper understanding of Fowles's thought and creation. The thesis tries to explore the existentialism"freedom"thought which contains in the characters'relationship mode(the"guide"and"the one who accept guidance"). The point of innovation is to reveal the existential"freedom"theme by research the essence of characters'relationship.This thesis is composed of four chapters: Chapter one introduces the source and formation of Fowles's existential"freedom"thought, analysis the close links between the philosophy in The Aristos and Sartre's"freedom"thought. In the second chapter, The Collector expresses writer's cherish and understanding on"freedom"by means of the relationship among Miranda, G.P. and Clegg, he is concerned at the"possessive existent mode". In the third chapter, The Magus illustrates Fowles's"relative freedom"thought via the relationship among Urfe, Conchis and Alison, he believes that freedom must be relative, individual's free will should take others'freedom into consideration. In the fourth chapter, The French Lieutenant's Woman focus on the relationship between Sara and Charles, it shows that"authentic being"is to embrace one's existence as a process to transcend oneself and to choose one's own nature; but in"bad faith", one behaves as others demand of him by conforming to the standards of established values and by adopting roles designed for him. As a whole, the three novels have expressed Fowles's existential"freedom"thought at different levels. We can realize his reflect on social morality and the existence of humanity as a writer with strong social responsibility.