Legal Aspects of "The French Lieutenant's Woman"

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Recommended: The law in the victorian era

The French Lieutenant's Woman is a novel which takes place in England in the Mid-Victorian period (1867). This story is about Charles Smithson, a discontented bachelor who had an affair with a prostitute named Sarah Woodruff (a lady's companion and former governess). As a result of his affair with Sarah, Charles breaks his engagement to Ernestina Freeman. After breaking his engagement he learns of the disappearance of Sarah and hires detectives to find her. Meanwhile Mr. Freeman, father of Ernestina threatens to file a suit against Charles for breech of promise of marriage. Charles receives a hand delivered letter requesting his presence at the chambers of The Inns of Court and failure to attend would acknowledge the client's (Mr. Freeman) right to proceed to court. Upon his arrival at chambers Charles is presented with a statement of guilt. The most humiliating experience Charles undergoes is having to sign the breach of promise papers which describe him as no longer having the right to be considered a gentleman.

The last statement of this document "My conduct throughout this matter has been dishonorable, and by it I have forever forfeited the right to be considered a gentleman" proved to be the most devastating to Charles as he felt he was marked and defiled for the rest of his life. He would not have the option to marry and would remain a bachelor. This was no doubt an act of revenge which would have significant repercussions for Charles and affect his overall quality of life.

Charles Smithson is an heir to a baronetcy (he is below a baron and above a knight and can be addressed as Sir) where as Mr. Freeman's fortune was made through commercial success and the establishment of a store in London's west end. Because th...

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...her of any future bride of his dishonesty.

In this novel John Fowles opens the door for us to see how the upper class society was unjustly using the law to seek vengeance against their opposition so that they themselves appeared to be the victims. They did this by combining the written laws with the unwritten religious laws by which they governed themselves. He also depicts how a person's anger and agitation of mind and feelings can destroy and demoralize an individual by ruining his reputation and his will to live. Most importantly the legal system is also at fault for this by allowing anger to play such an important role in justice.

The dialogue in this story seems to capture the tone of the Victorian period. The characters appear to reflect Victorian attitudes and behaviors. Throughout the novel reference is made to judgment, punishment and retribution.

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