Henry Green Criticism
Henry Green, born Henry Vincent Yorke, stands as a distinctive figure in 20th-century literature, renowned for his experimental narrative style and profound thematic explorations. Green's novels, such as Living, Loving, and Concluding, are celebrated for their rich characterizations and innovative plot structures, as observed by Eudora Welty. His prose is marked by minimalistic description and a focus on dialogue, using dropped articles and verb-free sentences to craft narratives driven by interactions rather than exposition, as detailed in The Novels of Henry Green. These stylistic choices contribute to a narrative style that captures the essence of English social dynamics and the subtle complexities of human relationships.
Green’s work often delves into the intricate layers of social class, as seen in the class discussions of Loving and the existential themes of Concluding, which are explored in depth by James Hall. His literary silence in the latter part of his life has invited much speculation and critique, such as in Henry Green: Eros and Persistence, pondering the reasons behind this withdrawal. Despite a limited mainstream following, Green’s novels have been critically acclaimed for their linguistic innovation and exploration of human nature, drawing comparisons to modernist icons like James Joyce and Marcel Proust, as discussed by Andrew Gibson.
In his narrative approach, Green transitions from focusing on the upper class to incorporating a broader view of social strata, employing settings as symbolic backdrops that transform mundane realities into something mythic. This ambition is highlighted in Rediscovering Henry Green, where his use of dialogue and symbolism is praised for its intellectual and emotional depth. However, the inherent reticence in Green's narratives, as noted by Richard Horn, often leaves readers in a state of intriguing uncertainty, challenging them to engage deeply with the text. Furthermore, as Ben Yagoda observes, Green’s exploration of communication barriers and stylistic innovations underscores the complexities of human interaction, often reflecting a subtle yet pervasive pessimism.
Green’s understated comedy and English tone, analyzed by critics like Irving Howe, illustrate the nuanced way he navigates personal crises without overt commentary. This subtlety is emblematic of his broader literary approach, where he creates a space for readers to discover the depth and richness of his characters’ lives. As such, Henry Green’s work remains a vital part of the study of modern English literature, inviting readers and critics alike to explore the intricacies of his narrative art.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Green, Henry (Vol. 97)
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The Novels of Henry Green
(summary)
In the following essay, he discusses the "linguistic oddities" of Green's novels, finding them distracting but effective.
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Henry Green: A Novelist of Imagination
(summary)
In the following laudatory essay, he analyzes the main components of Green's novelistic style, highlighting such elements as characterization, plot situations, and diction.
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Paradoxes of Pleasure-and-Pain: Henry Green
(summary)
In the following essay, Hall explores the role of what he calls "play-and-pain" in Green's novels, focusing especially on Loving and Concluding.
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Henry Yorke and Henry Green
(summary)
In the following essay, he reminisces about his initial reactions to Green's novels.
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Blindness: The Eye of Henry Green
(summary)
In the following essay on Blindness, Brothers examines the themes of the work, concluding that the novel "is a dramatization of the individual's poignant, failed quest for meaning and understanding."
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Henry Green's Enchantments: Passage and the Renewal of Life
(summary)
In the following essay, Wall traces the development of the themes of passage and renewal in Green's novels, stating "Green's fiction locates a neglected area of adult experience in which we continue the kind of living we did as children, in which not ideas but symbols move us."
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Limbo States: The Short Stories of Henry Green
(summary)
In the essay below, Russell assesses the short stories "A Rescue," "Mr. Jonas," and "The Lull" in terms of their evocation of a "limbo-like" state.
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Henry Green as Experimental Novelist
(summary)
In the following essay, Gibson examines Green's experiments with traditional conventions of the novel form in his fiction, comparing his novels to those of James Joyce, Marcel Proust, and Franz Kafka.
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Henry Green: Eros and Persistence
(summary)
Below, Engel relates the theme of love and 'a hope for transformation' in Green's novels to questions of class and gender. He also speculates on why Green stopped writing.
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An Ear for Anonymity
(summary)
In the following favorable review of Surviving: The Uncollected Writings, Parker claims "we need Henry Green to remind us what prose can do."
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The Novels of Henry Green
(summary)
- Green, Henry (Vol. 2)
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Green, Henry (Pseudonym of Henry Vincent Yorke)
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Rediscovering Henry Green
(summary)
In the following essay, Michael Dirda examines the evolving style and thematic focus of Henry Green's novels, emphasizing Green's innovative use of dialogue, symbolism, and characterization to portray the lives of both the working class and the upper class, ultimately highlighting the enduring warmth, humor, and integrity of Green's literary vision.
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Irving Howe
(summary)
In the following essay, Irving Howe argues that Henry Green's novels, characterized by their English tone, understated comedy, and unique prose style, explore personal crises without resorting to overt psychologizing or social commentary, ultimately depicting a nuanced vision of life through a precise use of language.
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Breathless
(summary)
In the following essay, Richard Horn critiques Henry Green's novels, particularly "Loving," "Living," and "Party Going," for their reticence and lack of narrative or psychological depth, arguing that Green's style, which shuns definitive judgments of characters, leaves readers in a state of uncertainty that can be both intriguing and frustrating.
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Hazards of Language
(summary)
In the following essay, Ben Yagoda argues that Henry Green's novels are distinguished by their exploration of the difficulties and hazards of communication, stylistic innovation, and a pervasive pessimism, as well as their unique approach to language and dialogue which reflects the misunderstandings and limitations of human interaction.
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Rediscovering Henry Green
(summary)
- Further Reading