Explore the Relationship Between Miranda and Frederick in 'the Collector' by John Fowles
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- Category: English: Novels
- Date Submitted: 02/03/2010 12:45 PM
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Explore the relationship between Miranda and Frederick in 'The Collector' by John Fowles
Miranda shows her prowess over Frederick (more commonly referred to in the novel as Ferdinand, so as not to reveal his identity) throughout their many exchanges. Almost right from the very beginning, Ferdinand is timid and tentative; willing to do whatever it was that his beloved Miranda wanted. In the passage (pages 66 to 71), Miranda takes great advantage this, showing the reader that she can manipulate Ferdinand to her will easily. She repeatedly asks for him to let her parent's know that she is alive, and Ferdinand gradually relents to her demands; following her advice, her orders, to 'wear the gloves', purchase pens and paper from different stores, to send the letter in London, so it would be harder to trace. She appears to have him under her thumb, although there are times when Ferdinand appears to notice that he is not the one in control anymore. This is shown when he checks the letter and finds her secret note, demonstrating that he does not trust her fully. Their exchanges throughout the passage do not seem to be of those that would normally happen between captor and captive, as he dotes on her every whim, instead of becoming violent, and extracting what he wants from her, as we would expect a stereotypical kidnapper to behave. Miranda's idea of sending a letter back home shows the reader just how manipulative she can be, and indeed, is. It illustrates how she is always planning ahead and thinking of ways to escape – in the second part of the novel it is revealed that her master plan was to dig a tunnel under the door whilst he was in London posting her letter. Whenever she wants something from Ferdinand – something that no captor would give his captive, specifically the letter – she becomes sweeter, she doesn't fight him, or mock him as she usually does, but is instead soothing and persuading. Whilst dictating the letter, for instance, Miranda interrupts with...
Miranda shows her prowess over Frederick (more commonly referred to in the novel as Ferdinand, so as not to reveal his identity) throughout their many exchanges. Almost right from the very beginning, Ferdinand is timid and tentative; willing to do whatever it was that his beloved Miranda wanted. In the passage (pages 66 to 71), Miranda takes great advantage this, showing the reader that she can manipulate Ferdinand to her will easily. She repeatedly asks for him to let her parent's know that she is alive, and Ferdinand gradually relents to her demands; following her advice, her orders, to 'wear the gloves', purchase pens and paper from different stores, to send the letter in London, so it would be harder to trace. She appears to have him under her thumb, although there are times when Ferdinand appears to notice that he is not the one in control anymore. This is shown when he checks the letter and finds her secret note, demonstrating that he does not trust her fully. Their exchanges throughout the passage do not seem to be of those that would normally happen between captor and captive, as he dotes on her every whim, instead of becoming violent, and extracting what he wants from her, as we would expect a stereotypical kidnapper to behave. Miranda's idea of sending a letter back home shows the reader just how manipulative she can be, and indeed, is. It illustrates how she is always planning ahead and thinking of ways to escape – in the second part of the novel it is revealed that her master plan was to dig a tunnel under the door whilst he was in London posting her letter. Whenever she wants something from Ferdinand – something that no captor would give his captive, specifically the letter – she becomes sweeter, she doesn't fight him, or mock him as she usually does, but is instead soothing and persuading. Whilst dictating the letter, for instance, Miranda interrupts with...