The Collector is a feature of the thriller genre, thus contributing to the novel’s entertaining capability “A thriller is a novel, play or film with a sensational plot, usually dealing with crime.” (#1) This type of genre often creates emotional exci

The difference between Clegg, the collector, or anti-life person, and Miranda, the free spirit, is insurmountable. Each section, in The Collector consolidates this, by presenting each character’s views, opinions and values. Through the elements of the thriller genre, symbolism of structure and psychological behaviour; and the themes of appearance and reality, the problem of freedom, the stunted self, and the problem of love, the readers get convincing pictures of a madman, and then a ‘down to earth’, free-spirited woman. It is this, that encourages the readers to relate more to Miranda, as in society we share similar views as her. In conclusion, The Collector is a brilliant feature of the thriller genre, which touches upon true and false love, the mystery of someone’s appearance, and then discovering reality, being unable to be ‘free’, and the study of the criminal mind. It therefore results in the narrative being very informative, having an insight on views of life, and being an extraordinary form of entertainment.

The old motto “Love conquers all” is challenged through the relationship between Clegg and Miranda. It is this that presents the theme of the problem of love. In each of the sections, the readers are provided with their point of view, presenting their feelings towards each other. Clegg’s part clearly establishes his love for Miranda - “Please marry me,…I won’t ask anything, anything of you, except to be my wife in name and live in the same house with me. You can have your own bedroom and lock it every night,…” This illustrates the strength of desire he has for her, presenting to the readers that his ‘claimed love’ for her is absurd. He expresses that he knows she does not feel the same way about him, but still does not give in. This introduces the theme of the problem of love, establishing the idea that love is not one-sided and is not simply a matter of two people really liking each other. It is a feeling of great fondness for one another, and a matching of two people; intellectually, emotionally and culturally. Miranda presents this ideology – “…I can’t marry a man to whom I don’t feel I belong in all ways. My mind must be his, my heart must be his, my body must be his. Just as I must feel he belongs to me.” Through this, Clegg, as well as the readers, are educated with Miranda’s theory of ‘love’, encouraging us to support her beliefs. In society, we see love as reciprocal affection, involving more than just being attracted to one another, but having negotiation and hard work. Readers, therefore, relate more to Miranda, as her views make sense, and are shared with the majority of society.

Some topics in this essay:
Clegg Miranda, John Fowles, Collector Clegg’s, , thriller genre, introduces theme, idea clegg, readers relate, stunted self, towards miranda, establishes idea, criminal mind, appearance reality, psychological behaviour, Chamber’s Dictionary, genre symbolism structure, symbolism structure psychological, written person view, thriller genre symbolism, elements thriller genre,