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Henry James
Timeline
1855
In 1855, Henry’s family moves to England during his adolescence. This will serve as an important role in James life. James was exposed to a high value education, as he was able to study alongside his intelligent brother. He was able to visit a wide variety of galleries, museums, and theaters. These experiences could well be credited for James passion for writing. While in England, James was able to receive tutors and additional resources to add value to his education. It is noted he only briefly attended school, but instead studied alongside private tutors. His parents prioritized the education of him as well as brother William and Sister Alice. While in England, he was able to acquire languages and gain awareness of the European lifestyle. This can be seen as James motivation to write about Americans abroad and a motive for James to return to England later in his life. The James family would spend the next five years visiting London, Paris, and Geneva.
1863-1864
James was enrolled at Harvard Law School. However, he withdrew from the school and decided to become a writer. This inspiration had been defined by his many experiences as an adolescent. He would in 1864 publish his first story, “A tragedy of Error”. This was James first published short story. This story involves a woman whose lover is murdered. The wife is unfaithful to begin with, so she hires a boatman to kill her husband. However, the boatman ends up killing her lover instead. Through the narrator’s perspective, once the wife finds out her husband is returning, she goes to her room and begins to drink. The servant watches this occur by looking through the keyhole. The main dialogue is the conversation between the lady and the boatman. This piece is not one of James finest, but still an important piece. Claudia (2012) argued “The bad news is that 21-year-old Henry James was not the best of writers. The good news is that 21-year-old Henry James was not the best of writers. I don't know about you, but I find the idea of my literary hero having to work for his greatness very... reassuring” (para.1).
1877-1879
This would start the period of creative writing for James. He wrote novels of The American (1877), The Europeans (1878), Confidence (1879), story Daisy Miller (1879).
Daisy Miller is one of his most famous. Daisy Miller is a well-written story that challenges the reader to dive deeper into the superficial meaning. James uses a widened plot to strive for the reader to look beyond the actual text into the reality. In the story, a young American girl, Daisy, meets a rich man named Winterbourne. During this time, Daisy is traveling through Europe with her younger brother. Winterbourne has lived in Geneva most of his life, and is truly fascinated by Daisy. Winterbournes Aunt, Mrs. Costello, strongly opposes Daisy and her way of life. However, Winterbourne still chooses to spend time with Daisy. The next winter, Winterbourne reunites with Daisy in Rome where he quickly learns she has become well known in the town due to her being involved with fortune hunters. Daisy becomes particularly involved with one specific Italian, named Mr. Giovanelli. Despite being warned her reputation is being ruined, Daisy continues to spend time with him. This creates conflict with Winterbourne as he starts to doubt his relationship with Daisy. Winterbourne notices Daisy and Mr. Giovantelli at the Coliseum on his way home from dinner. Winterbourne becomes concerned about her health due to the spread of malaria in Rome during this time. Several days after, Daisy becomes sick and passes away.
1880
In 1880, James would publish Washington Square. This is a short novel written by James during one of his periods of creative writing. He tells the story of a young girl whom her father is controlling. Her young suitor is one in which she finds handsome, but of course her fathers seeks disapproval. This creates conflict in their New York home. James perfects social commentary, gaining insight into a young woman’s life. This piece is unique due to the fact in focuses on Americans in an American setting. Washington Square was inspired by James childhood, as the location reflects the location of his residential home in which he was born and spent his early childhood years. James uses the plot to describe the battle between the father and daughter as they experience feelings of loneliness, love, and betrayal. James seeks to use motifs to represent the feeling of home as well as characterizing the characters based upon their name and role in the novel.
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