The Bostonians (Identities and Issues in Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Henry James
- First Published: 1885
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: New York, North America or North Americans, Northeast, U.S., United States or Americans, Nineteenth century, New York City, Social issues, New England, Reformers, Women’s rights, Hypnotism
- Locales: New York, NY, Boston, MA
The Work
Unlike many of Henry James’s novels, The Bostonians is set in the United States. Its female characters are involved in the reform movement that swept New England during the latter half of the nineteenth century. In the novel, James presents compelling but not sympathetic characters. A central figure in the reform movement is Olive Chancellor, a proponent of women’s rights, a movement upon which her identity is based. Presumably, American educator Elizabeth Peabody was James’s prototype for Olive. Olive is inspired by Miss Birdseye, an abolitionist in her...
[The entire page is 793 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
Related Topics
