"The Europeans" by Henry James: To what extent is "The Europeans" an expression of James's quest for a synthesis of the two qualities, the 'good' (Americans) and the 'beautiful' (Europeans)?

In The Europeans, the Americans (symbolized by the Wen tworths) be puritans who abide by nonindulgent Puritan rules, which promote the Puritan dash of life. The Europeans, on the otherwise bridge player (symbolized by Eugenia and Felix), are non Puritans besides are sophisticated, opportunistic, and sometimes lax in their way of life. This sometimes causes muddiness and conflict when their lives are enmeshed. But it withal sometimes brings close an understanding, respect, tolerance and appreciation of one anothers beliefs, values, cultures and opinions. In the American culture, James comprehended the good, which we associate with the honour fitting sincerity of the Puritans; in the older European culture he respect the life lived, not in equipment casualty of moral ideas, but of aristocratic style. The most consequential theme of his apologue, called The International base emerges in a passage of the relationship or confrontation betwixt these two cultures. Ja mes was fire in the moral perceptions of the characters - perceptions which emerged as a result of carry to feelher the two cultures, the one with its apparent naivety or cultural innocence, the other, with its wider populate and edification that verged on decadence. The author is not severely criticising European values, or American values. James is not taking sides. The author is able to direct gentle satire at European sophistication as well at the stiffness of the Americans.

The European characters Eugenia and Felix body forth a highly refined lay down of opportunism. They function involved with a group of Americans who embody the to a greater extent conservative quality of field of view. The opposition amidst opportunism! and discipline is a central idea that gives the novel its dramatic unity. The terms of this opposition are presented in a conversation between Felix and Gertrude (James, 1995:67). Mr Wentworth confides in Felix telling him about his countersign being hang up for drinking (James, 1995:... If you want to get a full essay, format it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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