A Psychological Analysis of Henry James' the Portrait of a Lady

By Dr. Claudine L. Maria-Julia Boros

The author of over twenty novels, twelve plays, and one hundred and twelve short stories, Henry James (1843-1916) is the acknowledged "Father of the Psychological Novel." With his seminal masterpiece, The Portrait of A Lady (1881), he ushered in the birth of what was to be the emergence of psychological fiction. Although a steady progression of other great novels and works would follow this one, it is this work, therefore, that will be the focus of the present study.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 9, 2010
• ISBN: 9781453543276

Dr. Claudine L. Maria-Julia Boros

to follow

Book preview

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my wonderful mother and best friend; my true and only inspiration and ideal; my fantastic father, a fountainhead of knowledge and wisdom who greatly inspired the writing of this book; my terrific brother whose great mind, talents, and insights are always invaluable to me; and to Leopold, my love and partner-in-crime. I also dedicate this book to Honey, Igor, Charlie, Sam, Bobbie Bette,

and Buffy for their love and life.

Finally, thanks to Dean Felder who is a role model for everyone in the English Department and in our entire college.

With love and devotion to J.C., Francis, Joseph, Mary, Pio, Rita, Theresa, Claire, Anthony, Jude, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Catherine.

Contents

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

WORKS CITED

INTRODUCTION

OVER THE PAST one hundred years, Henry James has re-emerged as one of the select giants in English literature and, moreover, as a cultural and literary figure.

This book was inspired by Henry James’ enormously diversified writings, completed over one hundred years ago as well as his literary-critical activities, which enabled me to present him in a rather new picture, one where he is elevated for his literary and psychological influence, instead of only as a renowned novelist. His great voice of psychogical insight resonates throughout my text.

CHAPTER 1

THE NINETEENTH CENTURY novelist tended to be psychological in approach, interested in the inner struggles of his characters. In this manner, he was being a realist. In Art for Art, James compares the novelist to the painter in this regard:

The only reason for the existence of the novel is that it does attempt to represent life. When it relinquishes this attempt, the same attempt that we see on the canvas of the painter, it will have arrived at a very strange pass. It is not expected of the picture