'Metanarrative' in the novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

'Metanarrative' in the novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

Q. What is 'metanarrative' in the novel, The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

Answer: In the novel,"The French Lieutenant's Woman," John Fowles employs the literary technique of metanarrative, which refers to the way in which a work of fiction calls attention to its own status as a work of fiction. In other words, ‘metanarrative’ is a device that allows a writer to comment on the nature of storytelling itself.

John Fowles uses metanarrative in several ways throughout the novel. For example, he frequently addresses the reader directly and offers commentary on the events of the story, breaking the illusion of a seamless narrative and calling attention to the fact that the story is being told by an author.

The second ending of the novel, "The Ending of the Book," is perhaps the most overt example of metanarrative in the novel. In this ending, the narrator directly addresses the reader, commenting on the limitations of historical fiction and the role of the author in creating and shaping characters. By doing so, Fowles challenges the reader to think critically about the nature of storytelling and the ways in which authors construct narratives.

To elaborate further, Fowles uses metanarrative to challenge the reader's assumptions about the narrative structure of the novel. By breaking the illusion of a seamless narrative and reminding the reader that the story is being constructed by an author, Fowles invites the reader to think more critically about the ways in which stories are told.

Through the use of metanarrative, Fowles also explores the relationship between reality and fiction. By commenting on the limitations of historical fiction and the role of the author in shaping our understanding of history, Fowles suggests that there is a complex interplay between reality and the stories that we tell about it. This theme is also reflected in the character of Sarah Woodruff, who challenges the conventions of Victorian society by refusing to conform to the expectations placed upon her.

Overall, the use of metanarrative in "The French Lieutenant's Woman" allows Fowles to offer a commentary on the nature of fiction and the role of the author in shaping our understanding of the world. By drawing attention to the constructed nature of the novel, Fowles invites the reader to think more deeply about the relationship between fiction and reality.

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