Abstract
M.A.
This dissertation conducts a semiotic analysis of the transposition of The French Lieutenant's
Woman from novel to film. Special attention is paid to the concept of narrative point of
view. The study is introduced by a chapter outlining the theoretical approach followed in
this dissertation, after which a careful analysis of The French Lieutenant's Woman as written
narrative and as film is attempted. The success of this adaptation is illustrated by showing
how Karl Reisz uses the same principles of subversion, violation and manipulation which give
Fowles's narrative style its distinctive character. It is also shown that an adaptation can be
successful as long as the particular characteristics of the specific medium are taken into
account.