THE COLLECTOR by John Fowles NOTES ON THE

THE COLLECTOR by John Fowles NOTES ON THE NOVEL’S STRUCTURE

Composition Is the ending predictable or unexpected? How many chapters are in the novel? What is the function of each one? What is the semantic* role of the diary? *Semantic – pertaining to meaning.

The author and the Character Every author draws plots and characters from his own life, personal experience or observations. Fowles/Clegg: A lonely childhood An interest for nature A loving uncle who encourages this interest Imaginary world the boy lives in as opposed to reality

Levels of the Novel The plot level The symbolic level* p. 249 The mythological level pp. 199, 217. The archetypal level* The metapoetic* level (Allusions and quotes; interconnections with other works of art) p. 158

Term Definitions *Symbol usually means a material object standing for something imperceptible, especially abstract concepts. *Archetype (in Jungian psychology) a collectively inherited unconscious idea, pattern of thought, image, etc. , universally present in individual psyches. http: //dictionary. reference. com/browse/archetype *Metapoetics (noun), metapoetic (adjective). A phenomenon of writers/poets reflecting on literature within their own writings, that is, literature discussing itself.

THE COLLECTOR by John Fowles INTERTEXTUALITY

Arts and Music: Questions 1. Miranda talks about art a lot. What favourite artists of hers can you name? 2. What does Miranda dislike in art and why? 3. What characters listen to Goldberg Variations? In what episode? How does the music affect them?

Allusions to Music and Art Music: Requiem by Mozart Art: Still Life With Apples by Cézanne

Still Life with Apples by Paul Cézanne

Background Information and Reader’s Experience Other texts (art, music) change/affect readers’ perception of the novel. Example: Miranda wants to paint like Berthe Morisot. What does this add to her portrayal as a character?

The interconnection between various works of art and literature = Intertextuality The meaning of a literary work is created with the help of other works of literature, paintings, music pieces, etc. Referring to other works of art known to the reader gives a literary work an additional dimension. “Books always speak of other books, and are made of other books. ” (Umberto Eco) There is a limited number of basic plots literature has at its disposal; references and allusions are unavoidable.

Intertextuality in The Collector The names: Miranda Ferdinand Quotes: The Tempest by Shakespeare “Come, thou tortoise!” (77) Allusions*: Caliban

Allusion* An indirect reference to some piece of knowledge not actually mentioned. Allusions usually come from a body of information that the author presumes the reader will know. For example, an author who writes, “She was another Helen, ” is alluding to the proverbial beauty of Helen of Troy. http: //dictionary. reference. com/browse/allusion