1. What qualities does Isabel possess which induce her to fall in love with Gilbert Osmond? 2. How does Henrietta Stackpole’s function as a confidante differ from Ralph’s function as confidant? 3. Why does Ralph talk his father into leaving Isabel a huge fortune? 4. How much of a disinterested […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCritical Essays James’ Use of the Foreshadowing and Contrast
James is a very careful artist who uses rather often and freely the technique of foreshadowing a later action. This means that he has given hints in the early parts of the novel about some important thing that is going to happen later in the story. Thus, a touch of […]
Read more Critical Essays James’ Use of the Foreshadowing and ContrastCritical Essays James’ Use of the Confidant
James wrote fiction in an era before the modern technique of the “stream-of-consciousness” was established. In the modern technique, the author feels free to go inside the mind of the character. But in James’ time, this was not yet an established technique. Thus, since James as a novelist wanted to […]
Read more Critical Essays James’ Use of the ConfidantCritical Essays James’ Use of Point-of-View
One of James’ contributions to the art of fiction is in his use of point-of-view. By point-of-view is meant the angle from which the story is told. For example, previous to James’ novel, much of the fiction of the day was being written from the author’s viewpoint, that is, the […]
Read more Critical Essays James’ Use of Point-of-ViewCritical Essays Meaning through Social Contrasts: The American Versus the European
Henry James was the first novelist to write on the theme of the American versus the European with any degree of success. Almost all of his major novels may be approached as a study of the social theme of the American in Europe, in which James contrasts the active life […]
Read more Critical Essays Meaning through Social Contrasts: The American Versus the EuropeanHenry James Biography
Henry James was a true cosmopolite. He was a citizen of the world and moved freely in and out of drawing rooms in Europe, England, and America. He was perhaps more at home in Europe than he was in America, but the roots of his life belong to the American […]
Read more Henry James BiographyCharacter Analysis Gilbert Osmond
Gilbert Osmond is the epitome of everything that one finds objectionable in European society. He was, as a matter of fact, born in America, but since he was brought to Europe as a small child and has lived his entire life in Europe, we may consider him for all thematic […]
Read more Character Analysis Gilbert OsmondCharacter Analysis Madame Alerle
Madame Merle is one of the most admired women in Europe. Everything she does is in perfect good taste. As Mrs. Touchett says, she hasn’t a fault. But this means that Madame Merle has created a visible exterior to cover up her inner corruption. As the reader later learns. she […]
Read more Character Analysis Madame AlerleCharacter Analysis Ralph Touchett
Ralph functions as the cosmopolite who has interested himself in Isabel’s career. Upon first meeting her, he senses her potential capacity for development. He then devotes his life to observing Isabel’s activities. Ralph is well suited for his function in the novel. Knowing that he has only a few more […]
Read more Character Analysis Ralph TouchettCharacter Analysis Isabel Archer
Isabel is the central concern of the novel. She possesses all the attributes of James’ typical American. She is innocent, but also intelligent. In contrast to the European such as Madame Merle, she does not possess a great amount of experience, but she does have the capacity to appreciate any […]
Read more Character Analysis Isabel Archer