Summary of The French Lieutenant's Woman ,Easy and short summary of Summary of The French Lieutenant's Woman

Summary of  The French Lieutenant's Woman

Charles, a wealthy London man, walks with fiancée Ernestina in 1867 Lyme Regis, spotting a mysterious figure named Sarah, a tragic woman with a ruined reputation.

Sarah's reputation crumbles after a scandalous affair with a French sailor, leading to salacious rumors.

Living with Mrs. Poulteney, Sarah waits for the French Lieutenant's return, meeting Charles, who initially forgets about her.

Charles, an aspiring paleontologist, encounters Sarah repeatedly while working on fossils and offers to help, but she prefers solitude.

Sarah faces despair after a scolding, contemplating her death, as Charles, Ernestina, and Aunt Tranter argue about societal norms.

Charles questions his engagement and feels desire for Sarah after hearing her tragic story, urging her to leave Lyme Regis.

A telegram prompts Charles to leave for family troubles, but he returns with uncertainties about his engagement to Ernestina.

Sarah's plea for another meeting unsettles Charles, leading him to arrange a meeting with Dr. Grogan.

Changing his mind, Charles seeks Sarah and, finding her, experiences conflicting emotions, ultimately leaving her with money.

Charles goes to London, gets drunk, and encounters a prostitute named Sarah, reminiscent of his lost love.

A note leads Charles to Exeter, where he decides to choose between a conventional life with Ernestina or pursuing Sarah.

Charles chooses Sarah over Ernestina, discovering a shocking truth about Sarah's past and their encounter.

Guilt-ridden, Charles reflects, prays, writes a love letter, but Sam lies, pushing Charles to confess to Ernestina.

Ernestina reacts furiously, threatening Charles, who decides to find Sarah, but she has left for London.

Charles signs a letter of guilt, stops caring about reputation, travels Europe for two years, and settles in New Orleans.

A lawyer's telegram reveals Sarah's location, now Rossetti's model; Charles meets his daughter, finding happiness with Sarah.

The author offers an alternate ending where Charles leaves Sarah, choosing to live an empty life.