The American (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Henry James
- First Published: 1877
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Psychological realism
- Time of Work: Mid-nineteenth century
- Setting: Paris
- Principal Characters: Christopher Newman, Mr. Tristram, Mrs. Tristram, M. Nioche, Mlle Nioche, Madame de Bellegarde, Claire de Cintre, Marquis de Bellegarde, Valentin de Bellegarde, Mrs. Bread
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: Values, Traveling or travelers, Nineteenth century, Paris, Aristocracy or aristocrats, Millionaires, Switzerland or Swiss people
- Locales: Paris, France
The Story:
In 1868, Christopher Newman, a young American millionaire, withdrew from business and sailed for Paris. He wanted to loaf, to develop his aesthetic sense, and to find a wife. One day, as he wandered in the Louvre, he made the acquaintance of Mlle Nioche, a young copyist. She introduced him to her father, an unsuccessful shopkeeper. Newman bought a picture from Mlle Nioche and contracted to take French lessons from her father.
Later, through the French wife of an American friend named Tristram, he met Claire de Cintre, a young widow, daughter of an English...
[The entire page is 2022 words long]
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