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.

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

George Monteiro is 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.