Roderick Hudson

"Roderick Hudson" by Henry James is a story set in the late 1800s, following Rowland Mallet's journey to Europe, particularly Rome, in search of inspiration and meaning in his life. The book dives into artistic dreams, personal goals, and tangled human connections, mainly through the character Roderick Hudson, a sculptor working to achieve his artistic goals while dealing with family expectations. Rowland's visit to his cousin Cecilia in Northampton introduces the story, showing his thoughtful personality and need for purpose as they discuss his trip to Europe and Cecilia encouraging him to find social value. Rowland’s discovery of Roderick Hudson, a local young sculptor, leads him to mentor and support the young man due to Roderick's potential; however, this sets the stage for future conflict and growth as they seek to fulfill themselves and their journey through art.