Henry James

Henry James, well-known for his psychological short stories and books, greatly influenced literature between the end of the nineteenth-century and the beginning of the twentieth-century. After being genuinely hurt by the fact his play Guy Domville was decried in London in 1885, he wrote The Turn of the Screw two years later, drawing its inspiration from large mansions where he stayed in Sussex. Member of the Society of Psychical Research, Henry James was attracted by spirits and ghost. He wrote…

In his novella The Turn of the Screw Henry James portrays the governess as a protector of innocence of Miles and Flora. As the governess learns about Peter Quint and Miss Jessel and their relationship with the children. Her views towards them change from the idea that the ghosts are demanding to get at the children and that she can protect them to doubting that the children are already under the devil’s influence instigating them to become tarnished and thus need to be even more strongly watched…

character yet also sensitive and emotionally explosive. James makes you question anything that happens, he makes you stop and think if this…

When can you know when a person can be trusted? In the Turn Of The Screw written by Henry James, the narrator otherwise known as the governess tells the story. But how reliable is the information she is giving us? Can she be trusted or is the information that she is giving the reader a lack of evidence. Although the narrator of this novel is not introduced formally. The person who is telling this story is the governess. Who also is in charge of taking care of two kids named Flora and Miles. The…

Robert Louis Stevenson’s essay, ‘A Humble Remonstrance’, [2001, (1884] is a direct onslaught on, the ongoing debate on the nature and function of fiction initiated by two renowned authors Walter Besant and Henry James, whose essays both entitled ‘The Art of Fiction’ attempt to define the artistic side of fiction. Each author entering this discussion had differing views on the subject, and the crux of this debate was to define the laws of what constitutes the definition of ‘Realism’. This…

For anyone who writes, there is always a question of whether or not the end product is any good. In “From The Art of Fiction,” American writer Henry James implies that the secret to good writing is to infuse it with experience, whether vast or limited, authentic or cultivated through imagination. James reiterates that the writer’s process of gaining inspirational experience is never complete. Furthermore, he affirms that genius lies within the writer’s ability to openly collect experiences,…

Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw presents a governess as the central character. For years, literary critics have argued over the sanity of the protagonist. Sanity, the condition of having a healthy mind, versus insanity is a major theme that James addresses throughout the novel. Ultimately however, the governess is sane because she possesses the qualities of courage, self-confidence, and intuition. The governess’ quality of courage displays how she is sane because she is able to do…

Daisy Miller by Henry James was very interesting to read. Personally, I did not like Daisy at all because it seemed she was intentionally toying with Winterbourne’s emotions. Winterbourne was a sweet guy, always looking after her well being. What was wrong with Daisy? Why would she want the guy that does not care and takes her to a colosseum where she will contract a deadly sickness? I do not feel bad for Daisy due to the fact people, like Wintebourne and Mrs. Walker, tried to help and warn her;…

In The Turn of the Screw by Henry James, the governess’ sanity is constantly questioned. James initially displays the governess as a lovely agreeable woman, then adds aspects to her character that may be seen as insane. However, as a whole, the governess’ actions and character traits confirm her sanity. The governess is sane because she tries to protect the children and makes rational decisions. Furthermore, she is not the only one that senses the ghosts. Since the governess’ only goal is…

Edith Wharton led one of the most privileged lives of any major American novelists. She lived free of money worries because of inherited income. She had houses in rich areas, passions for gardens and interior decoration, toured Europe in cars and yachts, and despised second-class hotels (Franzen). Wharton lived a high profile life unlike any other authors, a comfortable life that most people today want to live. She came from a long line of important names in the American, specifically the New…