The American by Henry James

Henry James’ The American and Boundaries

The American, contains a re-occurring theme in novels written by Henry James. Most of James’ novels deal with the International theme. This conflict between Americans and Europeans is identified between the characters within the novel. The characters have different views on the way they live. The most differential theme between the characters is the struggle between individualist society and the patriarchal society.
The main character in The American, Christopher Newman, is an American; he goes to Europe to see the world beyond American. From the Newman’s first introduction in the book, he is depicted as the typical main character in a James novel. Like other characters in James’ work his name says a lot about who he is. Newman tells Noemie that he was named after Christopher Columbus. His last name, Newman, suggests that he is part of the new men of America. Newman, like Columbus, leaves his homeland to experience the be...