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:	9781476665856
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	05/06/2016
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	8.90(w) x 6.00(h) x 0.50(d)
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.

Table of Contents

Preface 1

1 The Manuscript 5

2 The Californian 13

3 Madame Merle 21

4 Fathers and Sons 29

5 Lessons of Browning 33

6 The Destructive Self 41

7 Portraits of Friends 53

8 Artifice in "The Real Thing" 69

9 "The Pupil" Rejected 72

10 New Christians and "The Liar" 79

11 The Poynton Marbles 93

12 The Caretaker 95

13 Figure in the Carpet 98

14 Identity Theft 105

15 Great White Hunter 108

16 The Example of Late James 120

17 Quest for Truth 130

18 The Spirited Daisy 134

19 The Wings of Doves 136

20 Innocence or Experience 140

21 Fathers and Daughters 146

22 The Double Bind 150

Chapter Notes 155

Bibliography 167

Index 173

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