Reading Henry James: A Critical Perspective on Selected Works

by George Monteiro

Overview

Henry James (1843-1916) has been championed as an historian of social conscience and attacked as a spokesman for social privilege. His Americanness has been questioned by nativists and defended by Brahmins. Critics took issue with his lucidly complex style. "It's not that he bites off more than he can chew, but that he chews more than he bites off," a contemporary complained. Although he was an acknowledged master in his final years, James' narrow readership has dwindled in the century since his death.

This book examines allusions, sources and affinities in James' vast body of work to interpret his literary intentions. Chapters provide close analysis of Daisy Miller, The American, The Beast in the Jungle and The Wings of the Dove. His fascination with poet Robert Browning is discussed, along with his complicated relationship with Marian "Clover" Adams and her husband, Henry, who was the author of The Education of Henry Adams.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781476625508
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	04/27/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	188
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

The late George Monteiro was a professor emeritus of English and of Portuguese and Brazilian studies at Brown University and the author or editor of books on Henry James, Henry Adams, Robert Frost, Stephen Crane, Emily Dickinson, Fernando Pessoa, and Luis de Camões, among others.
The late George Monteiro was a professor emeritus of English and of Portuguese and Brazilian studies at Brown University and the author or editor of books on Henry James, Henry Adams, Robert Frost, Stephen Crane, Emily Dickinson, Fernando Pessoa, and Luis de Camoes, among others.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Preface
1. The Manuscript
2. The Californian
3. Madame Merle
4. Fathers and Sons
5. Lessons of Browning
6. The Destructive Self
7. Portraits of Friends
8. Artifice in “The Real Thing”
9. “The Pupil” Rejected
10. New Christians and “The Liar”
11. The Poynton Marbles
12. The Caretaker
13. Figure in the Carpet
14. Identity Theft
15. Great White Hunter
16. The Example of Late James
17. Quest for Truth
18. The Spirited Daisy
19. The Wings of Doves
20. Innocence or Experience
21. Fathers and Daughters
22. The Double Bind
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

This collection savors every Jamesian detail”—American Literature; “A little gem of a volume...delightful...sustained and fully developed readings”—American Literary Realism.

From the Publisher