"The American" by Henry James is a story set in the late 1800s that follows a rich American named Christopher Newman as he travels to Europe to find himself, experiencing the mix of social classes and different cultures. Beginning his travels, Newman finds himself in the Louvre appreciating the artwork, focusing on a Madonna copy painted by a young woman named Noémie Nioche. Through getting to know Noémie and her father, M. Nioche, we see Newman’s true character, which includes his honest attitude, love for art, and his desire to connect with new people. The start of the novel prepares us for Newman's journey in Europe as his life becomes mixed with others as he thinks about what his recent fortune has provided him and what he is really looking for when it comes to relationships and culture. He will face the temptations and struggles of following his goals in a society based on tradition and status.
The American
By Henry James
A wealthy American travels to Europe looking for more than just art, but encounters a world where tradition and status threaten his dreams of finding genuine connection and self-discovery.
Summary
About the AuthorHenry James was an American-British author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.
Henry James was an American-British author. He is regarded as a key transitional figure between literary realism and literary modernism, and is considered by many to be among the greatest novelists in the English language. He was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher and psychologist William James and diarist Alice James.
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