The Lesson of the Master

"The Lesson of the Master" by Henry James is a story set in the late 1800's that follows a young, perspective writer named Paul Overt as he experiences the world of famous authors. Paul is introduced as a nervous and unsure writer visiting a fancy country estate. He is charmed by both the fancy party and one of the guests, the well-known author Henry St. George, a man Paul finds extremely admirable. As Paul gets more comfortable at the estate, he watches the complicated relationships between the guests, which includes St. George's wife who seems to have a large influence on his work. The introduction of Miss Fancourt, the General's daughter, further complicates Paul's experience as he begins to learn about the highs and lows of chasing your dreams while navigating complex relationships.