A Defender For Freedom And Independence

The French Lieutenant’s Woman, a masterpiece of John Fowles who is one of themost famous British novelists, demonstrates the British society of the Victorian Era inthe nineteenth century. Since its publication, the novel has gained great attention fromthe domestic and overseas critics who mainly put the emphasis of research on postmodernity, feminism, existentialism and reception aesthetics etc. However there are fewstudies or commits from the perspective of personality structure.This thesis attempts to analyze The French Lieutenant’s Woman with Freud’spersonality structure as theoretical basis, in terms of the id, ego and superego, to explorethe psychological drive behind the inscrutable behaviors of protagonist.The thesis is mainly divided into six chapters. Chapter One briefly introduces thelife, experience and literary achievement of John Fowles, summary content of TheFrench Lieutenant’s Woman, and critical reviews abroad and at home, as well as Freud’spersonality theory and relationship of three parts. Chapter Two analyzes the factors thatinfluence the formation of Sarah’s ego ideal and the manifestation of her conscience.Chapter Three illustrates the adjustment function of Sarah’s ego, which can be foundexpression in her return to Lyme in spite of scandal, and her leaving in order to preserveCharles’s position and situation. Chapter Four elaborates Sarah’s love for Frenchlieutenant and Charles driven by her impulsive id. Chapter Five dissects the interactionand balance of Sarah’s personality in the new life. To preserve her superego, she finallysacrifices her love for Charles and chooses to achieve her ego ideal, i.e. freedom andindependence. Chapter Six comes to a conclusion that Sarah’s mental activities are maininternal drives for her behaviors.An analysis of The French Lieutenant’s Woman from the respective of personalitystructure will provide a new insight into the text, a new understanding of theprotagonist’s behaviors for the readers, and offer a significant guidance to develop ahealthy personality in the modern society.