Author Description
You you a nun; you with your beauty defaced and your nature wasted you behind locks and bars! Never, never, if I can prevent it!' A wealthy American man of business descends on Europe in search of a wife to make his fortune complete. In Paris Christopher Newman is introduced to Claire de Cintré, daughter of the ancient House of Bellegarde, and to Valentin, her charming young brother. His bid for Claire's hand receives an icy welcome from the heads of the family, an elder brother and their formidable mother, the old Marquise. Can they stomach his manners for the sake of his dollars? Out of this classic collision between the old world and the new, James weaves a fable of thwarted desire that shifts between comedy, tragedy, romance and melodrama a fable which in the later version printed here takes on some of the subtleties associated with this greatest novels. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
Menrva's Summary
THE PULSE
Christopher Newman, a wealthy American businessman, travels to Paris seeking a wife, only to find his aspirations thwarted by the rigid social barriers of the French aristocracy. Newman attempts to integrate into the elite circles of the House of Bellegarde, hoping to marry Claire de Cintré, but he faces intense opposition from her family, who view his background as inferior. The narrative follows his struggle to navigate the complex social codes and moral hypocrisy of the European upper class. Written in a third-person perspective, the story examines the friction between American idealism and European tradition.
INSIDE THE PAGES
- Exploration of the cultural divide between the New World and the Old World
- Satirical depiction of aristocratic snobbery and social pretension
- Character-driven focus on the moral integrity of the protagonist
- Use of irony to highlight the limitations of wealth in social mobility
- Shift in tone from comedic social observation to dramatic conflict
- Detailed descriptions of Parisian high society in the late 19th century
- Examination of the conflict between individual desire and family duty
- Emphasis on the psychological motivations behind social rejection
THE COLLECTIVE ECHO
Readers and critics frequently discuss the novel as a foundational example of the international theme in literature. Discussion often centers on the contrast between Newman's straightforward American pragmatism and the deceptive, intricate machinations of the Bellegarde family. Many observers highlight the effectiveness of the pacing, which begins with light social comedy before transitioning into a more somber exploration of moral failure. The work is often cited for its nuanced character development and its ability to capture the specific social anxieties of the era. Readers appreciate how the narrative balances personal ambition against the immovable weight of historical lineage.
Page Count:
434
Publication Date:
1999-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191605336
ISBN-13:
9780191605338
Romance
Historical Fiction
English
Paris France
English & College Success
Realism
Social Satire
Widows
Classic Literature
Fiction psychological
Man-woman relationships
Community Tags
Similar Books
