Observing the structure of the novel, we see that Miranda has potential but lacks the full maturity and wherewithal to talk sense into Clegg. For this reason among others, we are able to sympathize with Clegg despite his immoral actions. Camus believed that evil could be rooted in those whom irrational innocence was prevalent in. We can compare Miranda to the Few and Clegg to the Many as the Few are in search of knowledge and growth whereas the Many wander aimlessly through life living by sophisms that are taught by other like-minded people. I would like to start off by posing the question: “What aspects of human nature are present in determining the way we feel or sympathize with others?” An important concept originally introduced by the Greek philosopher Plato and later advanced upon by the French Existentialist Albert Camus is the idea of the Few and the Many. The novel concludes with Miranda’s death and Clegg’s preliminary search of a new “house guest.” A more in-depth summary is available here. Structurally, the story is told from Clegg’s perspective and then it is retold from Miranda’s perspective by a means of her journal that she keeps during her imprisonment.

Clegg watches her from afar as if he is trying to get to know her without actually interacting and later he takes risqué pictures of her but doesn’t try to partake in any sexual activity with her.

His actions are no different when it comes to those with Miranda. From a young age, Clegg partakes in the act of watching people, even taking pictures of them. Clegg does not live here by chance as he has purposely chosen to isolate himself from society as much as possible in the effort to be an active observer and not a participant in society. Clegg lives off of his recent lottery winnings in a secluded house in a rural area of England. We are first introduced to the protagonist named Frederick Clegg, a very introverted man that acts as a recluse in society and is responsible for kidnapping a young woman named Miranda Grey. Throughout the process of my inquiry, I will give a brief summary of the novel, I will delve deeper into the role that existentialist ideas and concepts of the mind play in shaping how Clegg and Miranda act, and ultimately, aim to shed some light on the immense implications of sympathy that are so prevalent in the novel. In this final investigative analysis of the novel, I aim to spark an interest in reading the book for those who have not yet read it, while also attempting to give those who have - a more in-depth insight into the hidden features that make up Fowles’ novel. This post serves as my final inquiry of The Collector by John Fowles.

The collector john fowles sparknotes