Date of Award
1989
Document Type
Thesis
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Peyton, Ann
Abstract
Alienation causes the characters in Clarissa, Lolita, and The Collector to contend for control of each other. All three male protagonists deny the women they love of freedom; all three women respond vehemently despite their isolation and despair. The resultant struggles for power link these novels and irrefutably solidify the sisterhood among the women. First-person narration further strengthens the bond among the three works. Richardson's Lovelace writes letters in order to tell his story; Nabokov's Humbert relates his account by use of his memoir; Fowles's Clegg records his thoughts daily in his journal. Each man tells of his vengeance and sexual domination over his innocent teenage victim. Ironically, none of the girls' strong wills can be defeated; each triumphs spiritually.
Extent
87 p.
Recommended Citation
Helgeson, Christine Peters, "Alienation and struggle for power in Richardson's "Clarissa", Nabokov's "Lolita", and Fowles's "The Collector"" (1989). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 1980 - 1989. 686.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general_3/686
Identifier
FADT14525
Comments
Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 1989.|Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters