Rowland has an ulterior motive by following them to the Alps, that is to say, a “satisfaction of not separating from Mary Garland” (332). It is here in this alpine splendour James’s novel will reach its tragic conclusion. However, prior to this calamity occurring the writer paints in vivid detail the beautiful environment that he juxtaposes with Roderick’s dolorous yearning to look once more upon feminine beauty like the newly married Princess Casamassima. Unable to work for Roderick’s spring of creativity “had dried up within him, and there was no visible spiritual law for making it flow again” (334) the artist instead focuses his despair and rage in not creating art, but more importantly not having Christina, internally. Put simply, Roderick
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For instance, James conveys her contempt when he writes, “turning her eyes much more directly upon Rowland, in the mutest, the feeblest, the most intolerable reproachfulness. She never phrased her accusations, but he felt that in the unillumined void of the poor lady’s mind they loomed up like vaguely-outlined monsters.” (335) What those monsters, which James is alluding to, are Rowland’s betrayal of his promise to the old widow to take care of her only son, Roderick. According to her viewpoint, she has every reason to broadcast her derision towards Rowland Mallet, who finds it “grotesque in a man of his age being put into a corner.” (336) Why then does Rowland Mallet stay? The answer is simple: guilt towards Roderick and love for Mary Garland. Even so, Mrs Hudson’s animosity is not only directed at Rowland, but also at Miss Garland. For example, when James writes, “Women are said by some authorities to be cruel; I know not how true this is, but it may at least be pertinent to remark that Mrs. Hudson was intensely feminine.” (336) Again, James refers to women “who attach themselves to those persons of the other sex in whom the manly grain is soft and submissive. …such women were only males in petticoats…” (337) If, according to James, Mrs Hudson is very much a woman due to her callousness, then this becomes apparent when …show more content…
Her response mirrors Christina’s in the Coliseum, and this is evident when she cries out, “I don’t want it; I would rather not have it!” (350) When she asks Rowland’s reasons for endangering his life to pick the precious bloom, instead of saying what he truly feels, which is, “Because I love you” (351) the bashful fellow simply says, “Because I wanted to do something for you.” (351) Henke argues Rowland’s attempt to pick a flower does not make him a man. Furthermore, it signifies Rowland’s attempts in trying to become a copy of Roderick: the sole purpose of which is to negate his passivity and replace it with masculine activeness. (Henke, 274) Nevertheless, Rowland Mallet has been doing something for Mary Garland that the innocent girl is unaware — namely, he has been championing her claim for Roderick’s affection — even though these run counter to the wealthy man’s personal desires for the young woman. Once more, Mallet broaches the testy subject by asking, “Don’t you remember that in Rome you wished to break off your engagement, and that I urged you to hold to it, though it seemed to hang by so slender a threat? I wished you to see what would come of it. If I am not mistaken you are reconciled to it.” (James, Roderick, 354) Roderick may be aware of Rowland’s affection for his cousin, when, a
For instance, James conveys her contempt when he writes, “turning her eyes much more directly upon Rowland, in the mutest, the feeblest, the most intolerable reproachfulness. She never phrased her accusations, but he felt that in the unillumined void of the poor lady’s mind they loomed up like vaguely-outlined monsters.” (335) What those monsters, which James is alluding to, are Rowland’s betrayal of his promise to the old widow to take care of her only son, Roderick. According to her viewpoint, she has every reason to broadcast her derision towards Rowland Mallet, who finds it “grotesque in a man of his age being put into a corner.” (336) Why then does Rowland Mallet stay? The answer is simple: guilt towards Roderick and love for Mary Garland. Even so, Mrs Hudson’s animosity is not only directed at Rowland, but also at Miss Garland. For example, when James writes, “Women are said by some authorities to be cruel; I know not how true this is, but it may at least be pertinent to remark that Mrs. Hudson was intensely feminine.” (336) Again, James refers to women “who attach themselves to those persons of the other sex in whom the manly grain is soft and submissive. …such women were only males in petticoats…” (337) If, according to James, Mrs Hudson is very much a woman due to her callousness, then this becomes apparent when …show more content…
Her response mirrors Christina’s in the Coliseum, and this is evident when she cries out, “I don’t want it; I would rather not have it!” (350) When she asks Rowland’s reasons for endangering his life to pick the precious bloom, instead of saying what he truly feels, which is, “Because I love you” (351) the bashful fellow simply says, “Because I wanted to do something for you.” (351) Henke argues Rowland’s attempt to pick a flower does not make him a man. Furthermore, it signifies Rowland’s attempts in trying to become a copy of Roderick: the sole purpose of which is to negate his passivity and replace it with masculine activeness. (Henke, 274) Nevertheless, Rowland Mallet has been doing something for Mary Garland that the innocent girl is unaware — namely, he has been championing her claim for Roderick’s affection — even though these run counter to the wealthy man’s personal desires for the young woman. Once more, Mallet broaches the testy subject by asking, “Don’t you remember that in Rome you wished to break off your engagement, and that I urged you to hold to it, though it seemed to hang by so slender a threat? I wished you to see what would come of it. If I am not mistaken you are reconciled to it.” (James, Roderick, 354) Roderick may be aware of Rowland’s affection for his cousin, when, a