John Fowles The Collector. AP British Literature: Pick a novel of literary merit in which a character in the novel is decidedly evil but which the reader holds sympathy for.MLA style.

In John Fowles' novel The Collector (New York: Little, Brown and Company: 1963) Ferdinand Clegg, an amateur entomologist, kidnaps Miranda, a beautiful artist, and holds her in an underground room. Though his actions alone condemn him as evil and immoral, the motive, his upbringing, strong sense of values and his undying adoration of Miranda, causes the reader to overlook the actions of Clegg and relate to him. The vicious way Miranda treats Clegg, who is of …

…strength in resisting this 'scarlet woman'. In the end, the reader almost feels relieved that Clegg does not marry Miranda and instead finds another woman to imprison. Although Clegg's acts alone can condemn him as evil and immoral, his wonderful sense of morality and strong character, along with the hateful displays by the woman he loves Miranda, cause the reader to feel compassion for Ferdinand, rendering the reader unable to condemn him for his actions.