Searching For Freedom-An Intertextual Analysis Of The Magus

John Fowles is among the best post-war British novelists. The Magus is in fact Fowles’s virgin novel though it is not the first published. After its publication in 1966, Fowles spent almost ten years rewriting and revising it. The revised version witnesses considerable changes both in plot and in structure, which enhances Fowles’s pursuit for freedom. Critics at home and abroad have studied this novel from diverse perspectives, including existentialism, feminism, archetypal criticism, and psychoanalysis. By conducting a intertextual study of TM and other works, this thesis intends to reveal its theme of freedom in terms of its characterization, narrative technique and feminist ideology.This thesis consists of five chapters. Chapter one is a brief introduction to Fowles’ literary achievements, the current research on TM, and the main propositions of intertextuality theory.Chapter two analyzes the intertextual relations between The Magus and The Tempest in characterization. Conchis can be regarded as the decrowned Prospero. Nicholas, the central character in TM, undergoes the transformation from a Caliban to a Ferdinand. The diversified roles and the sexual seduction of Julie presents her as a degraded Miranda. Though cherishing humanist idea as Shakespeare did, Fowles invests his characters with stronger passion and more courageous pursuit for freedom. The contrast of TM and TT reveals Fowles’new understanding and interpretation of man in postmodern society.Chapter three explores the intertextual link between TM and FLW in narrative art. Both novels are featured with open narrative structure and indeterminable narrative perspectives. However, Fowles has made more daring breakthroughs in overturning the tradition of author’s monopoly in the former novel. By discarding the linear narrative, Fowles allows the characters more opportunities to voice themselves, and the readers more freedom to interpret the story. The enhancement of their subjectivity in TM is in effect an enhancement of the author’s freedom in artistic creativity.Chapter four is an insightful contrast of the two versions of The Magus. In the revised edition of TM, the feminist ideology is even more foregrounded. By magnifying the marginality of Alison and Julie, Fowles manages to display women’s subversive potentials; and by magnifying their subjectivity, Fowles grants women more energy to resist the bondage of patriarchal society.In sum, with the inter-reference of The Magus to other works, Fowles has acquired the freedom in characterization, narration and expression, which helps highlight the novel’s theme of freedom.