Development of the Minor Character in James's Fiction, 1864-1881
Development of the Minor Character in James's Fiction, 1864-1881

Author: Molane Delk Arnett

Publisher:

Published: 1969

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13:

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Many studies have dealt with the characters of Henry James, particularly the psychological life of the characters. Very little, however, has been written on the function of the minor character in James's fiction. The purpose of this paper is to trace chronologically Henry James's development of the minor character and to show the early influences which affected that development. More specifically, this study will trace the development of the minor character's personality and his growth of awareness and will place an emphasis on the function or role of the minor character in all of James's fiction during the period from 1864-1881, beginning with "Tragedy of Error" and ending with The Portrait of a Lady. To clarify the functions of minor characters more fully, this study will also define the following terms which are of particular importance in tracing the development of James's minor characters: narrator, ficelle, confidante, confidant, point of view, omniscient point of view, and juxtaposition.

Culture and Conduct in the Novels of Henry James
Culture and Conduct in the Novels of Henry James

Author: Alwyn Berland

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: 1981-04-02

Total Pages: 250

ISBN-13: 0521233437

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Analyzing Henry James' conception of civilization as culture and the relationship of this conception to his major works, Berland argues that James brought to his fiction the moral commitment that characterized a Puritan New England and a dedication to the aesthetic culture he found in England and in Europe. He concludes that these commitments provide James with his major themes, characters and fictional techniques and the two immutable Jamesian laws : Europe is better than America, but Americans are better than Europeans.