Henry James American Literature
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to describe the aspect of psychological realism in Henry James’s novels. Naturally, the whole work reflects the central theme and should not follow a straight course. However, Henry’s books do not support that structure. He moves to the central point by exploring all the matters of the narrative (Hagberg, Garry L, 2018). A series of scenes show the structure, and every circle illuminates the central part of the story, but only small content narrates about it. For instance, one character makes an observation and tells the other character, and then the two characters, even together. That makes his novels to be psychological novels and a significant aspect of realism. At the end of several discussions, Henry investigates all the psychological implications in that specific event. It shows one particular circle. One scene follows another scene. According to Hagberg Garry (2018), at the end of his novels, he examines every ethical, moral, and psychological issue and ensures the reader has a clear image of the narrative. Consequently, Henry’s books narrate more about the situation and the character (Armstrong, Paul B, 2017). The novel concludes that Henry James was a psychological realist of subtlety, and his work cannot be surpassed.
Introduction
The American literary history traces back when the Europeans who spoke English arrived in the United States. Before, American literature was colonial literature, and writers were naturally colonial writers. In the 18th century, American literature mostly contained practical nonfiction which was written by British settlers, who had migrated to the United States. For instance, John Smith wrote his narratives of Virginia with the knowledge and experiences he had as both an English explorer and Jamestown Colony president. The earliest American literature was straightforward, practical, future-focused, and derives its research from Great Britain.
A new beginning began when the United States gained independence in 1776, as many writers wrote addressing the state of the nation and its future. There was increased modelling of American fiction and poetry by the use of Great Britain Literature. Majority of the work read by American readers originated from Great Britain. In the early 19th century, authentic American literature began. Although it was still part of the Great Britain Literature, short stories, journals and novels were published between 1800 and 1820 started reflecting the American society, and had more exploration of the American landscape in an understood manner.
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Henry James was both an American novelist who became a naturalized English citizen in 1915. He was a significant transatlantic culture. His central literature theme was the exuberance and innocence of the world in conjunction with the rise in corruption and the wisdom of the old days. He was a British-American author who was a dominant transitional person between literary modernism and the reality of literature. He is among the most prominent English language novelists. Henry James is prominently known for many novels that deal with the marital and social interplay between the continental Europeans, the English people, and the Americans. Such books include the Ambassadors, the portrait of a lady, the wings of the dove.
The works Henry James did later were experimental. Henry James uses a style with contradictory and ambiguous motives, ensuring he overlaid his impressions. Besides, henry uses juxtaposition to bring out the psyche of the character, and describe the social dynamics and states of mind of the characters. Because of using unique ambiguity in his art and other aspects of creative writing, there has been a comparison between his works and impressionist painting. His widely adapted book in other media is the turn of the screw because it is one of his ghost stories. Henry James published articles, books, biography, plays, travels, and autobiographies. A year before his death, Henry James relocated to Europe from the United States and settled in England eventually. He became very prominent in Britain in the year 1915 and won three Nobel Prizes in Literature.
Themes and Style of Henry James
James, a prominent figure in trans-Atlantic literature. In his work, Henry contrasted characters from old Europe and embodied a beautiful feud civilization. Also, culture was frequently alluring and corrupt and from the united states. In the united states, people were open, brash, assertive, and evolved the moral character of American society. He explores his clash of cultures and personality clash. James’s protagonists were young American women who went through oppression and abuse (Iuliano, Fiorenzo, pp.138).
The critics of James’s work has described three phases of James’s proses development in a jokingly manner. The three steps were James1, James 2, and the Old Pretender. Part of his work was plays and short novels. In his third and final phase, James returned to the long books which have serials. At the beginning of the second phase, he started abandoning direct statements to use double negatives and descriptive metaphors and similes. He adopted page after page instead of single paragraphs, in which nouns were replaced by pronouns together with adjectives clauses and prepositions (Hocks, Richard A, 2017). Verbs were no longer in use, and instead, adverbs replaced them. There are numerous debates concerning the shifts as many researchers thought he adopted this style because of his change from writing to typing, a transition made the time of What Maisie Knew.
Psychological Realism
Psychological realism is also known as psychological novels. It is a literary technique in which art of fiction concentrates on the characters’ way of thinking, the process of the psychology, and the interior motives instead of just narrating a story. The literary gene became dominant in the late 19th century and the early 20th century (Layne, Bethany, 2020). Because of its focus on internal and motivational thoughts of the characters, psychological realism is a genre of fiction that is character-driven.
A novelist of psychological realism focusses on not only showing the character’s behaviour but also explain why they behave so. Often, there is a more significant theme in psychological realism, as the writer expresses his or her opinion on a political, societal, or an economic issue by what the characters choose. However, there should not be confusion between psychological realism and psychoanalytic surrealism or writing. The two artistic expressions concentrated on psychology differently.
American Psychological Realism: Henry James
American author Henry James made use of psychological realism to create an effect in his artwork. James described the aspects of love, romantic desires, family relationships, and struggles of power. Unlike Charles Dickens, a psychological realist novelist who, in his work levelled direct criticisms at social injustices or Gustave Flaubert realist novels, which were composed of lavish and description of characters, objects and places that were finely ordered. On the more significant part, James’s psychological novels concentrated on the inner life of characters who had prospered. In his most prominent books, ‘the portrait of a lady,’ ‘Daisy Miller’, ‘the turn of the screw,’ and ‘the ambassadors’, James portrayed characters without self-awareness but with plenty of unfulfilled desires (Iuliano, Fiorenzo, pp.138).
Plot and Summary of the portrait lady
On a particular afternoon, Ralph and his father Mr Touchett were seen entertaining Lord Warburton at tea. Mr Touchett does not move from his chair. As they have a conversation, Lord Warburton tells him that he has no interest in marrying until he founds an interesting lady. Afterwards, Mr Touchett tells him to avoid falling in love with Isabel Archer, his wife, Mrs Touchett’s niece, as she is coming back from America to England. His wife has revealed that her niece was an independent, interesting young woman, but the telegram informed nothing else. As the two discuss Isabel, she just enters the room. Isabela and her aunt had just arrived from America.
As Isabel vies the Garden court, Ralph joins her, and Isabel tells him that his mother is in her room and will come later for dinner. More new, Ralph takes Isabel to meet his father and Lord Warburton. Mr Touchett hopes Isabel stays at their home for a while. He even asks her about her, and she tells him his wife will plan that. Mr Touchett wonders if everything has to be arranged for Isabel. Isabel tells him of how she is fond of her liberty and likes being independent. As they hold the conversation, lord tells Ralph that Isabel is an interesting woman (Hocks, Richard A, 2017).
To depict psychological realism, the title of the narrative ‘portrait’ inquires on the ability of the eye. The handling of the book is in terms of seeing the mind, that is the eye of the brain. In this novel, psychological realism is the primary theme- the fundamental knowledge, the aspect that is finally visible. There is only the contingent importance for the stimulation of various activities and a subtler of perception. At the beginning of the novel, some scenes flow in recognition series that are low keyed and slight. James also used illusions of ignorance and bafflements. Isabel’s lack of discrimination is a logical concomitant of her innocent ignorance, an ignorance which is opposite of her sublime soul. The aspect of innocent ignorance has depicted irony and paradox. The novel presents Isabela as one with and much devotion in literature.
Plot and Summary of the Ambassadors
An American widower of age fifty-five called Lambert Strether arrives at his hotel located in Chester, England, to meet his longtime friend, Waymarsh Strether. Waymarsh Strether is a lean, loose man who wears glasses, and has lots of grey hair, and a thick moustache. When lambert arrives, he finds Waymarsh has not yet reached, and he becomes a bit tense as he wanted to meet his friend for a longer time. He then inquires to the help desk about Waymarsh, and the woman puts him at ease. As they admire the garden, Maria, a thirty-five-year-old woman, appears. Although an American, she lives in Paris. Maria notices Strether staring her watch; in a way, he does not think it is right. She then tells him to stop is she believes it is not correct. However, Strether tells him it is impossible to enjoy today without preoccupation. Maria then requests to serve as Strether’s confidante and guide. They then walk back to the hotel holding hands as Strether shows his willingness. As they are approaching the hotel’s doorway, they meet Waymarsh awaiting them.
Psychological realism in the novel Ambassador
To show psychological realism, Henry defined the novel into a complex structure which was unprecedented, with a lot of imagery and irony. When the refractor is more finely aware, the refraction becomes more intense, which makes Henry James choose characters who have unusual sensitivity and exceptional perspective power, like character Strether. Far from limitation, the restrictive point of view becomes the foundation of broad experience, and a ground for a reader to see the aspect of psychological realism.
In The Ambassadors, Strether, who was ageing and very idealistic opens up about a secret love affair, and by doing so, he learns of anew complexity to his personal life. He had an upright morality which he could hardly change. His morality is enlarged and humanized, and he learns how to accommodate sinners. The most significant parts in this novel have the theme of psychological realism, usually intense moments of illumination that ensure characters see how blind they were. In the Ambassador, James is always concerned about perception. With Henry, only clear understanding of other people and self-awareness bring sacrificial love and wisdom. The novel Ambassador is more concerned with psychology than the external world.
Daisy Miller’s Plot Summary
A young man called Winterborne visited his aunt in the town of Vevey, Switzerland. He had a lot of free time because his aunt was always locked in her room, which had a smell of camphor. During summer, Vevey has so many Americans that one would consider it an American resort. Rumours have it that Winterborne schools in Geneva but visits his aunt in the summer season. As Winterborne sits in a café drinking coffee, a child aged about nine to ten years appears and asks for a lump of sugar from him. Although he gives out the sugar, Winterbourne warns the small boy about the effects of sugar on his teeth. However, the young American boy says the trouble with his teeth is a result of the poor climate of Europe and the hotels there. The boy prefers living in America than in Europe. He misses the American candy.
In the middle of Winterborne’s and the little boy’s conversation, a beautiful girl approaches (Layne, Bethany, 2020). The boy shouts that the girl was his sister, and Winterborne notices the beauty in American girls. While Winterborne is talking with the young boy, they see a pretty girl approach. Immediately the young lady approaches; she starts interrogating Randolph for some reason. As she converses with her brother, he notices how charming she was and how she seemed confident with life. They later have a conversation, and she realizes she is composed and relaxed and delightful. She even tells him she comes from New York City. After a brief discussion, the boy shouts his name and wants to shout his sisters too. However, she warns her brother to be quiet until he asks for it. The little boy’s name was Randolph. Randolph says that his sister’s name was Annie Miller, although she often uses Daisy Miller. He also tells him about their rich father, who lives in New York City and dislikes going to Europe (Hagberg, Garry L, 2018).
Psychological realism in novel Daisy Miller
An aspect of psychological realism in this novel is the idea of what is in the mind of characters. Winterbourne is good example of Henry’s depiction of psychology. Henry’s description of what is going on in the character’s mind. Unlike Daisy, who is independent, non-conforming, and carefree, Winterbourne is conforming, and a gentleman. It is visible when Daisy tells him that the first he was as stiff as an umbrella. Besides, expresses his perception concerning Daisy, and throughout the narrative, he is confused about his reckless manners.
Structure and Psychological Realism of Henry Miller’s Novels
Henry James uses psychological realism to get the scoop the inside of the inner life of a character. It is the consistent and faithful depiction in the English literature of inward human feelings, thoughts, and character traits. Psychological realism began in the 19th century with henry James. It involves portraying real human emotions honestly. Psychological realism frequently uses the works of fiction, which are mainly focused on analysis and characterization rather than the development of the story’s plot. Psychological novels gave Henry James the chance to explore the uncomfortable and gritty realities of human exposures and experiences. Psychological books explore the human condition as well as express the truths in fiction narratives. Bostonians, a psychological novel by Henry James, has excellent effects on the author’s depiction of the current human experiences (Iuliano, Fiorenzo, pp.138).
Nearly all novels belonging to Henry James are similarly structured. They have all have a central theme and message. A theme is a supreme matter and a central idea of a narrative or the primary purpose of the story. For instance, in The Portrait of a Lady, the supreme case is for Isabel Archer to have a chance of freely developing to the limits of her capability. Isabela is a person with great potential but lacks freedom, which would enable her to create their innate qualities. Therefore, Henry designs all actions and scenes to stop or to complete this opportunity for Isabela to achieve her capacity fully.
Henry’s process of creativity helps in the understanding of the structure of his works. His novels begin with a character and a situation. Unlike Henry, many novelists begin their artwork with a theme and an idea in mind and then create an actor and a case based on the primary subject. In his condition, he places his characters inside it; in effect, he sits back and observes what is likely to happen when a character faces the new situation. Often, Henry said he did not have a specific ending when starting his novels. The status and the role determined the end. Having such a plot gave him the freedom and an opportunity to know his characters by observing him in different scenes.
Criticism of Henry James’s Psychological Novels
Henry James’s psychological realism has undergone a lot of criticism. Other authors have argued that his writings are not about real-life situations, that the characters in his novels cannot exist in this world. H.L Mencken claimed that Henry James should have gotten a subtle whiff of the stockyards in Chicago to give his books a little life and reality. Other critics have said that the world of James is small and very narrow to be classified as a realistic depiction of life. James’s psychological realism is of a different sort. The early definition of psychological realism was the ability of a novel to demonstrate an aspect of real life, and it should reflect experience or a scientific record of growth. However, critics argue that Henry James’s work did not indicate that, and thus he was not a realist (Hocks, Richard A, 2017).
According to critics, James did not cover all life aspects. His work did not have an element of life ugliness, the common, vulgar, and pornography. Besides, he ignored the aspect of poverty and the middle class who had unfavourable standards of living. He only focused on the rich who could afford the refinements of life. Critics argue that to appreciate his work, the reader should enter into his world of fantasy. When reading his story, the reader is likely to feel like he has ascended to a unique world. In his extraordinary world, James does not violate the essential nature of his character. In other terms, the characters in James’s books are easily understandable with the character’s real life.
However, for James, psychological realism relates to the things that are easily encountered by everyone at one point in life, sooner or later. In his work, he opposes romance and feels that it is one among the facilities of life that can never be known directly. When James creates a particular character at the start of the story, the role will remain consistent until the end of the story. The characters never do anything logical and acceptable to what a character is perceived to do. Therefore, James’s novels are realistic, and the arguments of critics are lame and have no enough explanations.
Conclusion
Novelist Henry James had a psychological realism theme of a particular kind in his work. Some of his work includes events and actions that are extremely exciting. Most of the characters in his novel watch more than they live in it. The things that happen to the majority of the characters were not because of their actions. It is visible the way characters’ minds respond to the activities in the narrative, what they see, and how they understand the situations. The ability of the character to change consciousness makes Henry’s stories real.
In the 19th century, the majority of novel readers were not prepared for Henry James’ approach, and therefore, his novels did not gain much popularity. However, in the 20th century, the theme of psychological realism started becoming popular and common (Armstrong, Paul B, 2017). Due to modern psychology and novelists like Henry James, readers have become more interested in the works of the mind. Henry James is a fully established major novelist of America, and most importantly, as a psychological realist of subtlety, which is unsurpassable.
Works Cited
Armstrong, Paul B. The Phenomenology of Henry James. UNC Press Books, 2017.
Hagberg, Garry L. Meaning and Interpretation: Wittgenstein, Henry James, and literary knowledge. Cornell University Press, 2018.
Hocks, Richard A. Henry James and Pragmatistic Thought: A Study in the Relationship between the Philosophy of William James and the Literary Art of Henry James. UNC Press Books, 2017.
James, Henry. Complete Works of Henry James: Novels, Short Stories, Plays, Essays, Autobiography, and Letters: The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, The American. Knew, Washington Square, Daisy Miller... Flip, 2018.
Layne, Bethany. Henry James in Contemporary Fiction: The Real Thing. Palgrave, 2020.
Iuliano, Fiorenzo. “Making and Unmaking (I’m) Possible Worlds: Language Games, Naming, and Necessities in” The Real Thing.” The Henry James Review 40.2 (2019): 137-154.
