The Outcry

"The Outcry" by Henry James is a story that paints a picture of British high society in the early 1900s. It shows how people behaved, the relationships they had, and how money and status affected them. We meet characters like Lady Sandgate, a smart woman figuring out what society expects from her, and Lord John, who is trying to find love while dealing with his family's expectations. The story kicks off at a fancy school feast in a grand place called Dedborough Place, where important people talk about duty, what they think about society, and what they want in life. As Lady Sandgate and Lord John trade clever remarks, we get to know their personalities and what drives them and the book sets the stage to of how people's desires and ambitions can play out when held against old-fashioned beliefs and a growing dissatisfaction with the way things are.