From Absolute Freedom To Relative Freedom:an Analysis Of The Conception Of Existential Freedom In The Magus

John Fowles(1926-2005)is regarded as one of the representatives of novelists of post-modernism in Britain.He has published six novels,a collection of short stories and some non-fictional works during his life.The Magus is actually the first novel he has written.It was published in 1966 after his first published novel The Collector.Then Fowles kept rewriting and revising it several times before he published the revised edition in 1977.The thesis is based on the revised edition of the novel.The Magus has been receiving various criticisms from various perspectives,among which the perspective of existentialism is quite noticeable.Fowles has been deeply influenced by existentialism at Oxford,and his works often reflect this influence,as the themes of these works are related to the philosophy of existentialism.Freedom is a subject of great concern in his works.In his works,he often puts the characters in a dilemma,allowing them to make their own choices.In The Magus,the protagonist Nicholas has finally become an existential practitioner by making constant free choices and bravely taking responsibilities.This thesis is based on the theory of existentialism especially existential freedom,and aims at exposing the conception of existential freedom in this novel by analyzing Nicholas' transformation from a pursuer of absolute freedom to the practitioner of relative freedom.The thesis consists of four chapters.The first chapter is a brief introduction to the author and the work,the theory of existentialism and so on.Chapter Two discusses Nicholas' attempts to pursue absolute freedom.He evades responsibility by making self-exile and acting rebelliously.The third chapter interprets his self-reflection and trails his process of growth.By participating in the Godgame,he realizes his selfishness and incompetence and understands the real meaning of existential freedom.Chapter Four explores Nicholas' efforts in the process of achieving relative freedom.He begins bravely taking responsibilities for his free choices.At the end of the thesis,it is concluded that existential freedom means relative freedom and it can only be achieved by making freechoices and taking corresponding responsibilities.