Henry James

The Awkward Age

• Broschiertes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Henry James creates a harrowing analysis of society and its workings in The Awkward Age (1899) by exploring the English character and the conflict between new and old money along with a subtle satirical touch. James wrote The Awkward Age around the same time as The Turn of the Screw (1898) and What Maisie Knew (1896), both of which explore how the actions of the adults around young children threaten their innocence. In the beginning it seems like James' main concern in the novel is to resolve the vulnerability of Nanda so that she can thrive in an environment of questionable adult influences. But as the story progresses we see that James focuses on unimportant details like how much one character knows about another or what flimsy prior relationship can arise to disgrace someone. Nanda's parents and their acquaintances are such negative influences that we are led to assume she needs protection at the beginning of the book; nevertheless, by the end, she has developed the same cunning and deceitful tendencies as them. The Awkward Age is one of the most well-rounded and in some ways even the most intimate out of all James' masterpieces.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: DOUBLE 9 BOOKSLLP
• Seitenzahl: 378
• Erscheinungstermin: 22. April 2022
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 229mm x 152mm x 22mm
• Gewicht: 613g
• ISBN-13: 9789357271592
• ISBN-10: 9357271597
• Artikelnr.: 67466215

Autorenporträt

Daisy Miller is a novella by Henry James that first appeared in Cornhill Magazine in June-July 1878, and in book form the following year. It portrays the courtship of the beautiful American girl Daisy Miller by Winterbourne, a sophisticated compatriot of hers. His pursuit of her is hampered by her own flirtatiousness, which is frowned upon by the other expatriates when they meet in Switzerland and Italy.Annie "Daisy" Miller and Frederick Winterbourne first meet in Vevey, Switzerland, in a garden of the grand hotel,[2] where Winterbourne is allegedly vacationing from his studies (an attachment to an older lady is rumoured). They are introduced by Randolph Miller, Daisy's nine-year-old brother. Randolph considers their hometown of Schenectady, New York, to be absolutely superior to all of Europe. Daisy, however, is absolutely delighted with the continent, especially the high society she wishes to enter.Winterbourne is at first confused by her attitude, and though greatly impressed by her beauty, he soon determines that she is nothing more than a young flirt. He continues his pursuit of Daisy in spite of the disapproval of his aunt, Mrs. Costello, who spurns any family with so close a relationship to their courier as the Millers have with their Eugenio. She also thinks Daisy is a shameless girl for agreeing to visit the Château de Chillon with Winterbourne after they have known each other for only half an hour. The next day, the two travel to Château de Chillon and although Winterbourne had paid the janitor for privacy, Daisy is not quite impressed. Winterbourne then informs Daisy that he must go to Geneva the next day. Daisy feels disappointment and chaffs him, eventually asking him to visit her in Rome later that year.In Rome, Winterbourne and Daisy meet unexpectedly in the parlor of Mrs. Walker, an American expatriate, whose moral values have adapted to those of Italian society. Rumors about Daisy meeting with young Italian gentlemen make her socially exceptionable under these criteria. Winterbourne learns of Daisy's increasing intimacy with a young Italian of questionable society, Giovanelli, as well as the growing scandal caused by the pair's behaviour. Daisy is undeterred by the open disapproval of the other Americans in Rome, and her mother seems quite unaware of the underlying tensions. Winterbourne and Mrs. Walker attempt to persuade Daisy to separate from Giovanelli, but she refuses.