The French Lieutenant’s Woman (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: John Fowles
- First Published: 1969
- Type of Work: Historical novel
- Time of Work: 1867-1869
- Setting: Lyme Regis, London, and Exeter, England
- Principal Characters: Charles Smithson, Ernestina Freeman, Sarah Woodruff, Mrs. Poulteney, Sam Farrow, Uncle Bob, Dr. Grogan
- Genres: Long fiction, Antistory, Metafiction, Frame story
- Subjects: Freedom, Voyages, Tradition, Love or romance, Sex or sexuality, Nineteenth century, Art or artists, England or English people, Women’s issues, Imagination, Mysteries, Victorian era or Victorianism, Biology or biologists
- Locales: London, England, Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
The Novel
A playful, self-conscious narrative voice situates the opening of The French Lieutenant’s Woman in Lyme Regis in 1867. Charles Smithson and his fiancee, Ernestina Freeman, are walking beside the bay when they encounter a mysterious woman known locally as “The French lieutenant’s woman,” because of the foreign sailor who has jilted her. Charles becomes fascinated by this enigmatic figure, whose real name, he learns, is Sarah Woodruff. His fascination soon develops into a romantic obsession, one that will overwhelm the complacencies of his privileged...
[The entire page is 1623 words long]
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