Recognizing True Self:A Sartean Existential Reading Of Nicholas Urfe's Adyenture In The Magus

As the very first novel of John Fowles,The Magus embodies much of his outlooks on life.One important aspect of these opinions is existentialism:It was during the Second World War when Fowles attended Oxford.The war has brought misery to the Europeans,therefore existentialism,which offers discussion about questions like "What is human?"and "what is the essence of human?",has become extremely popular in Britain and the European Continent.Through reading the protagonist Nicholas Urfe's adventure in The Magus from a Sartrean perspective,this paper contends that the book conveys Fowles's positive view that man should recognize his true self and live for this true self.The first chapter will analyze Nicholas Urfe's bad faith.To escape from his freedom of choice,he sets 4 identities for himself:a "rebel" who,instead of creating meaning from himself,only acts passively against the social traditions represented by his parents;a "poet"who writes his fantasies but is blind towards the real world;a "detective" who takes everything on Phraxos island as challenge and precisely misses the answer to the"Godgame";and a "lover" who is rewarded a Miranda after defeating a Prospero while continuously escaping his true love.Instead of loyal to his true feelings,he acts as these 4 identities instruct.The second chapter is a detailed analysis on the process in which Nicholas comprehends his true freedom.Before elected by Maurice Conchis,Nicholas's understanding on absolute freedom is superficial.Only does he know his freedom of choice,and no responsibility is taken.During the "Godgame",every choice Nicholas makes is followed by immediate response.These responses torture him,force him to finally comprehend that he has been wrong,and that his freedom of choice is inseparable with responsibilities.The third chapter probes into the new Nicholas who takes his first step into authenticity.Nicholas begins to consider the responsibilities brought by his choices before he decides.He gains individuality and does not act as being watched anymore.Also,he abandons his tendency to aestheticize and performing everything,and he even forms friendly and family relationships with others.As the paper analyzes,The Magus is an existential fable which conveys Fowles's advises on how to live a meaningful life.