Ambassadors, The.pdf

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The Ambassadors Context Henry James was born in New York City into an intellectually gifted and financially secure family on April 15, 1843. His father, Henry James, Sr., was a well-known theologian and thinker, and his mother, Mary Robertson Walsh, was the daughter of a wealthy Albany cotton merchant and a devout Presbyterian. Henry was the second of five children born to the couple. His siblings include the distinguished philosopher and psychologist William James and the noted diarist Alice James. The family spent Henry’s early years traveling back and forth across the Atlantic, and he was subsequently educated in Geneva, Paris, London, and Bonn. At 19, he spent a year at Harvard Law School but did not find inspiration or contentment in the study of law. Two years later, he published his first short story, “A Tragedy of Errors” (1864), and decided to dedicate himself entirely to writing literature. Soon after, James became a frequent contributor to the Nation and Atlantic Monthly magazines, where he published short fiction, essays, and other types of writing for the next six years. In 1876, after a short sojourn to Paris as a contributor to the New York Tribune, James settled in England, where he would reside for the remainder of his life. As an American in England, James found not only the environment that best suited his personal comfort but also one that fascinated him enough to drive his greatest literary works. The publication of Daisy Miller (1878), the story of a naïve American girl attempting to navigate the complex corridors of European high society, established James as a writer of international success and set forth what would become one of James’s most reoccurring topical concerns: the American abroad. The post–Civil War economic upswing had made many wealthy Americans eager to visit the Old World. The refined cultural trappings of European culture, however, often left brusque Americans feeling alienated and unsure. This common occurrence gave James’s interest in the culture clash a potent currency and a contemporary relevance, and it helped foster his subsequent popularity—one that extends to The Ambassadors, a work that deals thematically with many different American reactions to European culture. Of the 20 novels, 112 stories and 12 plays he published in his lifetime, James considered The Ambassadors to be his most perfect work of art. The novel was first published serially in 1903 in the North American Review, and it was published two more times—in altered American and British editions—later that same year. The Ambassadors is in many ways a typical Jamesian novel in that it deals with the psychological interior of a character obsessed with self-refection and preoccupied with regret. American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne and French novelist Honoré de Balzac were among the writers who most influenced James and helped inspire James’s unique approach to novel writing. In Hawthorne’s writing, James found a frank discussion of human psychological complexity; in Balzac’s, James found elegant details of realist description—both of which he would incorporate into his own work. James’s other “late novels” resemble The Ambassadors stylistically and structurally. Together, these three novels The Wings of The Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903) and The Golden Bowl (1904)—are often read as a cohesive trilogy. Many critics see them as one masterpiece in three parts. Throughout his life, James kept up voluminous correspondence with many of the greatest

Transcript of Ambassadors, The.pdf

  • The Ambassadors

    Context

    Henry James was born in New York City into an intellectually gifted and financially securefamily on April 15, 1843. His father, Henry James, Sr., was a well-known theologian andthinker, and his mother, Mary Robertson Walsh, was the daughter of a wealthy Albany cottonmerchant and a devout Presbyterian. Henry was the second of five children born to the couple.His siblings include the distinguished philosopher and psychologist William James and thenoted diarist Alice James. The family spent Henrys early years traveling back and forth acrossthe Atlantic, and he was subsequently educated in Geneva, Paris, London, and Bonn. At 19, hespent a year at Harvard Law School but did not find inspiration or contentment in the study oflaw. Two years later, he published his first short story, A Tragedy of Errors (1864), anddecided to dedicate himself entirely to writing literature. Soon after, James became a frequentcontributor to the Nation and Atlantic Monthly magazines, where he published short fiction,essays, and other types of writing for the next six years.

    In 1876, after a short sojourn to Paris as a contributor to the New York Tribune, James settledin England, where he would reside for the remainder of his life. As an American in England,James found not only the environment that best suited his personal comfort but also one thatfascinated him enough to drive his greatest literary works. The publication of Daisy Miller(1878), the story of a nave American girl attempting to navigate the complex corridors ofEuropean high society, established James as a writer of international success and set forth whatwould become one of Jamess most reoccurring topical concerns: the American abroad. ThepostCivil War economic upswing had made many wealthy Americans eager to visit the OldWorld. The refined cultural trappings of European culture, however, often left brusqueAmericans feeling alienated and unsure. This common occurrence gave Jamess interest in theculture clash a potent currency and a contemporary relevance, and it helped foster hissubsequent popularityone that extends to The Ambassadors, a work that deals thematicallywith many different American reactions to European culture.

    Of the 20 novels, 112 stories and 12 plays he published in his lifetime, James considered TheAmbassadors to be his most perfect work of art. The novel was first published serially in 1903in the North American Review, and it was published two more timesin altered American andBritish editionslater that same year. The Ambassadors is in many ways a typical Jamesiannovel in that it deals with the psychological interior of a character obsessed with self-refectionand preoccupied with regret. American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne and French novelistHonor de Balzac were among the writers who most influenced James and helped inspireJamess unique approach to novel writing. In Hawthornes writing, James found a frankdiscussion of human psychological complexity; in Balzacs, James found elegant details ofrealist descriptionboth of which he would incorporate into his own work. Jamess other latenovels resemble The Ambassadors stylistically and structurally. Together, these three novelsThe Wings of The Dove (1902), The Ambassadors (1903) and The Golden Bowl (1904)areoften read as a cohesive trilogy. Many critics see them as one masterpiece in three parts.

    Throughout his life, James kept up voluminous correspondence with many of the greatest

  • thinkers and writers of the turn of the century, including Joseph Conrad and H. G. Wells.Nowhere in the letters is there evidence that James ever had a romantic relationship or aconsummate sexual experience, and nowhere in this large body of written work is there anyclear explanation as to why. Some biographers speculate that James was a closetedhomosexual, others point to a traumatic childhood incident that left him with an obscure hurt,and still others hypothesize that the early death of his beloved cousin Mary Minnie Templewho became the template for many of his early female charactersleft him romanticallycynical. Whatever the truth may have been, James often used his fiction to explore the terrainof the life unlived. This topic, along with his interest in insular psychological narrative andNew World/Old World conflict, is the most common theme James explores.

    Besides short visits, and one extended stay from 1904 to 1905, James never lived in Americaafter his youth, but he continued to be an American in spirit and on paper. Nevertheless, he wasdistressed by the outbreak of World War I and the United Statess initial refusal to enter thewar. Consequently, in 1915, he became a British citizen as a sign of appreciation to his adoptedcountry and as a protest against the country of his birth. While in London on December 2, 1915,James suffered a severe stroke and was put in the hospital. He died three months later onFebruary 28, 1916, at age seventy-three, with two unfinished novels in his desk. These novels,The Sense of the Past (1917) and The Ivory Tower (1917), as well as an earlier memoir, TheMiddle Years (1917), were published posthumously. Henry James was the twentieth centurysfirst truly international writer and one of modern literatures most astute stylists. Today, hisimpact can be felt in the work of such contemporary writers as Kazuo Ishiguro and IanMcEwan.

  • Plot Overview

    Lambert Strether, an American from Woollett, Massachusetts, arrives in Chester, England. Atthe hotel desk, he learns that his old friend Waymarsh has not arrived. Instead, Strether meets ayoung American lady named Maria Gostrey who claims to know Waymarsh. Quickly becomingfriends, Strether explains to Miss Gostrey that he has been sent to Europe by his fiance, Mrs.Newsome, to fetch her son, Chad. In Woollett, everyone believes that Chad has becomeromantically involved with an inappropriate woman and refuses to come home so that theyremain together. Strethers mission, as Mrs. Newsomes trusted ambassador, is to convinceChad to come back to Woollett, where he is needed by the family business. Strether confidentlybelieves that his mission is noble and necessary. If he succeeds, he and Mrs. Newsome will bemarried. Miss Gostrey suggests that Strether wait to judge Chad until after Strether has seenthis lover with his own eyes. Throughout the novel, Strether relies on Miss Gostrey forconfidence-boosting advice.

    Strether, Waymarsh, and Miss Gostrey head to Paris, where Chad lives. When they arrive, theylearn Chad is away. While they wait for Chads return, Miss Gostrey leads the two older menon sightseeing trips, and Strether begins to enjoy his time in Europe. Strether visits Chadsapartment and notices an unfamiliar man lingering on the balcony. Strether makes this mansacquaintance and learns that he goes by the name little Bilham. A friend of Chads, Bilhamtakes care of Chads house when Chad is traveling. Miss Gostrey suggests to Strether thatBilham is operating under Chads instructions. Regardless, Strether finds Bilham charmingand invites the young man to the opera. Bilham, however, does not show. Instead, a strangerenters the box. Strether realizes that this new arrival is Chad Newsome. Chad has returned fromhis travels quite a changed man.

    After the opera, Strether tells Chad why he has come to Paris. However, as he speaks, Stretherfinds himself less certain of his stance. Chad, once callow and juvenile, now seems confidentand restrained. His new personality impresses Strether, who wonders whator whohascaused Chads transformation. Chad asks Strether to stay and meet his close friends, a motherand a daughter, who are arriving in a few days time. Strether, wondering if one of these womenhas been the impetus for Chads improvement, and assuming the daughter to be Chads lover,agrees to stay. Meanwhile, Bilham convinces Strether that Chad has a virtuous attachmentand that Chads relationship with the mysterious woman is innocent. Strether eventually meetsthe women, Madame de Vionnet and her daughter, Jeanne, at a high society party, but he doesnot see them long enough to cement an impression. After the brief introduction to Madame deVionnet, Strether finds himself alone with little Bilham. Strether takes the opportunity to offerBilham some sage advice: live all you can before it is too late. This advice exposes Strethersown change since coming to Europe. In Paris, he feels renewed, young again, doubly alive.

    Over time, Strether comes to think that Madame de Vionnet has been the good influence onChad. Strether eventually learns that Maria Gostrey and Marie de Vionnet went to schooltogether as young women but have not seen each other for many years. When Chad arranges forthe marriage of Jeanne to another man, Strether realizes that Madame de Vionnet is Chadsreason for staying in Paris. Strether surprises himself by promising Madame de Vionnet that he

  • will try and keep Chad near her. As if aware of this promise, Mrs. Newsome writes Strether anddemands that he end his tenure as her ambassador. Her ultimatum: bring Chad home or returnto Massachusetts by the next ship. Even though his refusal to return home puts his marriage toMrs. Newsome in jeopardy, Strether longs to stay in Europe. In a complete reversal, Chaddeclares that he is ready to return to Woollett, but Strether begs him to stay in Paris. Almostimmediately, Mrs. Newsome sends a new shipment of ambassadors: her daughter, SarahPocock, along with her husband, Jim, and Jims sister, Mamie, who Mrs. Newsome hopes willmarry Chad. Strether worries that Sarah will contradict his reports on Chads progress and onMadame de Vionnets worthiness to Mrs. Newsome.

    Initially, Strether believes that Sarah is as charmed by Chads Parisian life as Strether was. Butsoon, Sarah meets Strether face to face and reiterates Mrs. Newsomes negative views of thesituation. She demands Strethers complete compliance in convincing Chad to go home toWoollett as soon as she, Waymarsh, Jim, and Mamie return from a leisure trip to Switzerland.Waymarsh and Sarah are acutely disappointed in Strether. While the others are away, Strethertakes a day-trip himself to the French countryside. There, he coincidentally spots Chad andMadame de Vionnet riding together on a small boat. All at once, he understands: theirrelationship is unmistakably intimate and obviously lacking in virtue. But, even though Chadand Madame de Vionnet were deceitful, Strether still feels that their involvement has improvedChad as a person.

    Afterward, when Strether visits Madame de Vionnet, she seems defeated and convinced thatChad will return to the United States. She insists that she has wanted Strether all along, towhich Strether replies that she has had him. Nevertheless, Strether suggests that he can stillhelp her keep Chad. However, after Chad stays away from them both for an entire week,Strethers resolve begins to erode. When Strether finally confronts Chad, the young man speaksonly of plans for improving the family business in Woollett. His desire to return home isunambiguous. Even though Strether thinks that Chad would be more fulfilled in Europe withMadame de Vionnet, he cannot convince Chad to stay. Instead, Strether goes to visit MissGostrey, at which point her long-gestating love for him is made obvious. She makes whatamounts to a marriage proposal to Strether, but he feels he cannot accept it. Even as he realizesthat, compared to Europe, his life in Woollett will be bland, Strether chooses to return to theUnited States.

  • Character List

    Lewis Lambert Strether - The protagonist of the novel. A 55-year-old editor of an intellectualmagazine in Woollett, Massachusetts, Strether has a mustache and a gray-speckled full head ofhair and he wears glasses. Strether is engaged to Mrs. Newsome, a wealthy widow who fundsthe magazine he edits. A widower himself, Strether lost his wife and young son many yearsago. He feels guilty about these loses and wonders what life experience he has missed by nothaving a wife or child. Mrs. Newsome has sent Strether to Paris to find her son, ChadNewsome, and bring him back to Massachusetts. Once he returns with Chad, she will marryStrether. She chose Strether as an ambassador not only because he is an old, trusted familyfriend but also to test his loyalty to the Newsome family. If he were to marry Mrs. Newsome,Strether would come into a great fortune and secure his status in the upper-class community inWoollett. To some degree, Mrs. Newsome wants to make sure that Strether is worthy of boththe wealth and the social status. Compulsively self-reflexive, Strether quickly realizes thathis life in Woollett has entrenched him in boring routine. As he travels, Strether comes toappreciate the freedom and openness he finds in Europe, and he begins to feel as if his new, fullEuropean life makes up for many years of personal stagnation. Strether takes to warningeveryone he meets that they may turn out like himold and inexperiencedif they do not livelife to the fullest while they are young. Strether is predisposed favorably toward most people:he finds a close friend in Maria Gostrey, a type of protg in little Bilham, a replacement son inChad, and a feminine ideal in Madame Marie de Vionnet. At the end of the novel, Stretherchooses to return to Woollett, but his outlook on life is forever changed by his late-in-lifeexperience in Europe.

    Read an in-depth analysis of Lewis Lambert Strether.

    Chadwick Newsome - The focus of the novel and the reason for Strethers visit to Paris. Chadis a handsome, debonair, and independently wealthy bachelor currently involved in a love affairwith the older Madame Marie de Vionnet. At first, it seems that Paris affects Chad in onlypositive ways: Chad has grown from the callow, immature boy he was in Woollett into apolished, gentleman, comfortable in Parisian high society and often host to a wide, interestinggroup of friends. But Chad has no real attachment to Europe or to his lover. Instead, Chadsubscribes to the American ideals of monetary success and to the social status that comes alongwith it. He wants to return to the United States to take over the family business, even afterStrether encourages him to stay in Europe. Paris affects Chad only superficially, and he looksforward to returning home to Woollett after his enjoyable, but not profound, experience inEurope.

    Read an in-depth analysis of Chadwick Newsome.

    Maria Gostrey - A 33-year-old, unmarried expatriate who lives in Paris and works as aninformal guide to Europe for American visitors. Miss Gostrey takes an immediate liking toStrether when they first meet in England. Separate from the Woollett society, she offersStrether keen and objective analysis of situations and people, and Strether relies on her wisecounsel. Although she is young and sprightly, she is more world-weary, more sociallyskeptical, and warier of peoples motives than Strether. She knows Madame de Vionnet from a

  • school they attended as young women but steadfastly avoids reacquainting herself with theother woman. At the end of the novel, she all but declares her love for Strether, who rejects herin favor of returning to the United States.

    Read an in-depth analysis of Maria Gostrey.

    Madame Marie de Vionnet - The older woman with whom Chad Newsome has becomeinvolved in a love affair. Madame de Vionnet has lived apart from her brute husband foryears. At age 15, she attended school with Maria Gostrey, but they have not seen each other fora long time and Maria avoids contact with her. Now, at around age 38, Madame de Vionnet hasbecome socially distinguished, handsome, and so cultured that she casts a shadow on Strethersmemory of Mrs. Newsome. Deeply in love with Chad, Madame de Vionnet resolves to keepChad in Europeand in her life. She captivates Strether, and he believes that her effect onChad has been only positive. He vows to help her by trying to convince Chad to stay in Europe,even after Strether learns that Chad and Madame de Vionnet have misled him about the natureof their relationship. Madame de Vionnet uses her beautiful daughter, Jeanne de Vionnet, muchlike a prop in her attempts to keep Strether on her side.

    Read an in-depth analysis of Madame Marie de Vionnet.

    Mrs. Newsome - An older, widowed, wealthy matriarch to whom Strether is engaged. Eventhough Mrs. Newsome never actually appears in the novel, she drives the novels action and itssignificant events. She sends Strether to Europe to collect her son, Chad, and return him to thefamily business in the United States. When Strether fails in his ambassadorial mission, shesends new ambassadors: her daughter, Sarah; her daughters husband, Jim; and Jims sister,Mamie. Mrs. Newsome represents the world of Woollett, Massachusetts, and the life thatStrether has left behind. Strether thinks constantly about Mrs. Newsome, and she occupies alarge place in his conscience, since she asked Strether to carry out her wishes in Europe andStrether has failed to do so for complicated reasons. Through Strethers eyes, Mrs. Newsome isbeautiful but deliberately so, wise but incredibly stubborn, and kind but undeniably dominant inrelation to him. The interplay between Mrs. Newsomes wishes and Strethers evolving needsoften drives the novel.Waymarsh - An old friend of Strethers who has been living, unhappily, in Europe for anunspecified amount of time. Waymarsh is married but has long lived away from his wife. He isimpulsive and curmudgeonly and finds nothing in Europe to his liking. He maintains close tiesto Woollett and reveals himself as a close friend of and consistent ally to Sarah Pocock whenshe comes to Paris to fetch Chad.John Little Bilham - An expatriate artist and one of Chads closest friends in Paris. Becausehe is physically small, he uses both of his last names and goes by little Bilham. A friendly,unpretentious young man, he maintains his loyalty to Chad even as he develops a close bondwith Strether. Ultimately, little Bilham lies to Strether about the nature of Chads relationshipwith Madame de Vionnet to protect Chad. Strether finds Bilham to be gentle and treats him likethe adult son he never had. Their conversations prompt Strether to articulate some of the mostprofound life lessons he has learned in Europe.Jeanne de Vionnet - Madame Marie de Vionnets charming and beautiful daughter. Jeanne isimpressively refined but lacks maturity. She has great fondness for Chad, but not romanticlove. He and Madame de Vionnet play up Jeannes merits in an effort to distract Strether from

  • the truth of their relationship. Strether sees the well-raised Jeanne as proof of Madame deVionnets virtue and suitability.Sarah Pocock - Chads older, married sister. Sarah is in charge of the second batch ofambassadors sent to retrieve Chad from Europe. According to Strether, Sarah has less charmand less beauty than her mother, but she is still amiable and pretty. To a great degree, Sarahstands in for Mrs. Newsome, who never appears in the novel. Sarah arrives in Europe with hermothers wishes firmly in mind and finds fault with much of what has impressed Strether aboutEuropean life. They clash almost immediately.Mamie Pocock - The of-the-minute society girl in Woollett, Massachusetts. Strether findsMamie to be as physically beautiful as the girls in Europe, as well as more sincere and sociablethan most Woollett society girls. Mrs. Newsome hopes Mamie will marry Chad. To Mrs.Newsome, the fact that Mamie is Jim Pococks sister, and thus already technically part of thefamily, only makes her more desirable. Mamie has known Chad since childhood, but noromance exists between them. While in Europe, Mamie falls for little Bilham.Jim Pocock - A leading Woollett businessman who is married to Sarah Pocock (neNewsome). Even though Jim is a prominent figure in Woollett, he is only technically a memberof high society. Casual and relatively simple, he takes no interest in the social maneuverings ofthe women and wants only to enjoy himself as much as possible, especially in Paris.Miss Barrace - A friend of Chad and little Bilham. Miss Barrace is a proper Americansocialite, and she helps present Chad in a good light by virtue of her own elegance. Later MissBarrace befriends Waymarsh as well.Gloriani - A famous French sculptor, Gloriani is part of Chads social set in Paris. His graceimpresses Strether, but he fails to connect with Strether on a personal level. Little Bilhamadmires Glorianis fame, artistic talent, and status in society.Monsieur de Montbron - The man who is to marry Jeanne de Vionnet.

  • Analysis of Major Characters

    Lewis Lambert Strether

    Strethers experiences, observations, thoughts, and reflections essentially compose TheAmbassadors. Even though the novel is not told in Strethers voice, his point of view fills thework and he is its central consciousness. Each event gets filtered through Strethers eyes andmind. Similarly, every comment uttered by the narrator reflects Strethers impressions andbiases. For these reasons, Strether is the most important character in the novel. But althoughStrether appears in every facet of the story, he has very little influence over the othercharacters. He tries, often nobly, to motivate the characters, as when he attempts to convinceSarah Pocock of Madame de Vionnets worthiness or when he tells Chad that he should remainin Europe. Ultimately, however, Strether fails to spur the others to act or behave as he wantsthem to. In the end, Strether himself changes the most, as the world he observes influences andaffects him.

    Over the course of The Ambassadors, Strether transforms from a close-minded puritan from asmall town in the United States to a broad-minded man with a European, cosmopolitan outlook.As the novel begins, Strether is unable to enjoy the experience of his own life and cannot actconfidently of his own volition. He arrives in Paris ready to blindly follow Mrs. Newsomesorders. He finds himself afraid to diverge from this burdensome task in any small way.Throughout his time in Europe, however, Strether changes greatly. His conversations with MissGostrey teach him to see the world in a European way. Gradually he gains confidence, learns totrust his own judgment, and realizes that his priorities have been wrong. Strether leaves Europenot because he has renounced the freedom and openness he discovered there. Rather, Stretherleaves because he believes himself too old and too set in his ways to give up the only life he hasever knownthe small-town life of Woollett, Massachusetts. Strethers greatestdisappointment is his failure to convince Chad to stay in Europe. Chad, however, has anirreversible and inestimable influence on Strether, who will never see the world, and especiallynot Woollett, Massachusetts, the same again.

    Madame Marie de Vionnet

    Madame de Vionnet is the closest the novel gets to a villain. She serves as a type of femmefatale for Strether: a charming, beautiful but somewhat dangerous woman. Like Strether,readers do not learn of her true nature until the end of the novel, due, in part, to Chadsintelligent, albeit deceitful, maneuvering. Chad and little Bilham reassure Strether of thevirtuous nature of the relationship between Madame de Vionnet and Chad. By the time Stretherrealizes that she is the bad woman from whom he was sent to take Chad, Strether has becomeconvinced of her ultimate virtue. Madame de Vionnets complicity in the deceit reveals herselfishness. She is not evil, but she willingly sacrifices Strethers future happiness to keep Chadnear her. Later, when Strether realizes that he has been duped, he still fights to keep Chad withher, because he has fallen in love with Madame de Vionnet himself. In the end, Strether loseshis standing in the Woollett community, as well as his engagement to Mrs. Newsome, as aresult of his love for, and defense of, Madame de Vionnet. But even though he loves her,Strether refuses her offer to remain in Paris as her companion at the end of the novel. By

  • deciding to return to Woollett, Strether salvages his integrity by refusing to succumb to herdeceit.

    Miss Maria Gostrey

    Henry James describes the character of Miss Gostrey as the readers friend in the preface tothe New York edition of The Ambassadors. In the plot of the novel, of course, she is Strethersfriend. Her unique role as confidant helps Strether to confront and analyze his experiences afterthe events have already occurred and his first impressions have already been solidified. Readerstoo must decode and analyze Strethers experiences to derive meaning from The Ambassadors.Helping Strether do this work also lets Miss Gostrey help the reader confront and analyze. Inthis way, Miss Gostrey offers invaluable help to both Strether and the reader. When Stretherfirst arrives in Paris, Miss Gostrey clarifies his confusion about Chads world and teaches himto overcome his American bias. Likewise, she sees through the complexities of each situationand distills it down to an explicit analysis that both Strether and the reader can easily digest.Later, as Strether gains a better grasp of Europe, Miss Gostrey serves as a sounding board forhis new ideas. Her presence allows the reader to revisit each episode of the novel and, as aconsequence, to take note of Strethers changing personality. Therefore, Miss Gostrey is both acentral character and an essential narrative tool in The Ambassadors.

    Chadwick Newsome

    If Madame de Vionnet is the villain of The Ambassadors, Chad Newsome is the novelsantagonist, or the character who opposes the protagonist, Strether. Though Chad takes noexplicit action against Strether, his deception initially allows Strether to mistake Madame deVionnet for a simple friend and virtuous influence. Had Chad not asked little Bilham to act onhis behalf, and had Bilham not lied to Strether about the context of Chads relationship,Strethers relationship with Mrs. Newsome may have remained intact and his future inWoollett secure. However, such events would not have necessarily given the novel a betteroutcome. Strether actually learns more through Chads deceit than he could ever have possiblylearned through a successful mission and subsequent marriage to Mrs. Newsome. Had Chad nottricked him, Strether may never have realized his own truth about Europe. Thus, Chad is acomplicated antagonist: he has neither a purely evil nor a purely good effect on the outcome ofthe novel.

  • Themes, Motifs & Symbols

    Themes

    The Importance of Place

    Throughout the novel, the narrator constantly locates events in specific places, and charactersrepeatedly refer to specific locations. James foregrounds the importance of place right from thebeginning by emphasizing how different Strether feels in Europe than in the United States.Upon meeting in England, Miss Gostrey tells Strether that she has met his friend Waymarsh inMilrose, Connecticut. Likewise, Strether explains that he comes from Woollett, Massachusetts.The specificity of location is a form of shorthand for the characters: where someone comesfrom gives all sorts of information about that persons likes, dislikes, habits, and behavior.Miss Gostrey assumes that Chad has a virtuous relationship with a woman simply by hearingthat Chad has gone to Cannes, France. Had the relationship not been virtuous, she reasons, Chadwould not have been able to travel to such an exclusive place. She similarly reassures Stretherabout little Bilham by explaining, hes all righthes one of us (that is, an American). Infact, the importance of place and location spurs the novels plot: Mrs. Newsome sends Stretherto rescue Chad precisely because of where he is living. The family in Woollett worries aboutChad because hes living in Paris, a city known at the time for its debauchery and immorality.

    The Lived vs. Unlived Life

    As a character, Strether represents the struggle to live life to the fullest extent. When Stretherfirst meets Miss Gostrey, he articulates his inability to fully appreciate the moments of his life.He feels as though he has suffered from this inability throughout his entire youth andadulthood, and he regrets having missed out on significant life experiences. Now middle-aged,Strether fears that he will never be able to live fully in the moment. But, in Paris, he begins toexperience truly saturated moments. Thanks to the frank advice and forthright guidance of MissGostrey, Strether learns to let go of the pain of regret and begins to live in the present. In thisway, he embodies the theme of the full, richly lived life versus the staid, boring unlived lifethat is central to The Ambassadors. Strether originally goes to Paris with the intention ofhelping Chad fulfill his potentialas a businessman in Woollett. Yet, Strether eventually feelsthat Chad would lead a richer life by staying in Paris.

    Strether further embodies the theme of the lived versus unlived life through his interactionswith other characters. Once Strether realizes the benefits of truly living life, he begins tolecture such characters as little Bilham about enjoying their youth. In Glorianis garden, at theend of the first part of the novel, Strether corners little Bilham and tells him, with earnestoptimism, to live life to the fullest. Strether believes he has missed his opportunity toexperience all of what life has to offer, and he wants his young friends to learn from hismistakes. Nevertheless, Strether fails to convince Chad to stay in Europe with Madame deVionnet. He blames Chads lack of imagination for his desire to return to the United States andtake over the family business. Ultimately, Strether leaves Europe as well, having decided thatlife has in fact passed him by.

    The American Abroad

  • After the Civil War, the American economy flourished, allowing the wealthy to travel to otherplaces, particularly Europe. The American abroad became a popular character in literature.Henry James himself was an American abroad, and much of his writing explores the Americanexperience in foreign lands. Just about every character in The Ambassadors comes from theUnited States and now lives in Europe. The manner in which each character responds to theEuropean environment speaks to the larger experience of Americans abroad. For instance, JimPocock wants to see the vice and opulence for which Paris has become famous in the UnitedStates. In contrast, Waymarsh hates Paris because it fails to offer him what he likes about hisAmerican home. These two characters represent opposite sides of the same Americanprovincialism. Neither character is able to appreciate what is truly great about Paris: itsconfident, age-old culture and its reliance on culturalas opposed to monetaryvalues.

    Unlike the other characters, Strether represents the best type of American abroad. Stretherlearns how to see Europe through the experienced expatriate Miss Gostrey, herself an Americanabroad. He appreciates Paris for itself and for its difference from Woollett, Massachusetts.Strether represents the kind of American James thought he was: an American capable ofappreciating the complex and rich culture of Europe. But, like James, Strether also took thewisdom gained from the venerable Old World and transferred it back to America. Stretherleaves Europe at the end of the novel a changed man, and he returns to the United States with anew perspective.

    Motifs

    Water

    Both Strether and the narrator use water imagery to describe female characters, particularly theway Strether relates to these women. After Miss Gostrey has gone away and left Strether todigest many significant events on his own, he finds that he no longer depends on her help toproperly understand the events he witnesses. He then refers to her as one pail among many inhis life, as one of the tributaries from which the water of meaning he seeks to gather flows.Likewise, he describes Mrs. Newsome as a large iceberg, as if to suggest both her firm,stubborn, insistence on certain ideas and to accentuate her geographic distance from the mattersat hand. Finally, he refers to Madame de Vionnet as a boat on water that attracts him. Later, asStrether becomes more involved with Madame de Vionnet, he remarks that if her boat sinks, hewill sink as well, because he has agreed to help her keep Chad and thus is in her boat. Finally,in the climax of the novel, Madame de Vionnet and Chad appear in an actual boat, exposing thetrue nature of their relationship to Strether. In this way, water and water-related imagerycoalesce to serve as a constant reminder of Strethers complex and varied relationships to thewomen of the novel.

    Virgin Mary

    The similarity between the names Maria (Gostrey) and Marie (de Vionnet) suggests that thesewomen function as altered versions of the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ. According to thetenets of Christianity, the Virgin Mary symbolizes life, purity, holiness, and wisdom.Throughout The Ambassadors, Maria Gostrey and Marie de Vionnet serve as important teachersand wisdom givers, for Strether and for others. Miss Gostrey, for instance, makes her living asa guide to Europe for Americans. Through her eyes, Strether learns to properly assess the

  • culture of Paris. Likewise, Strether imagines that Chads growth as a person is due to thenurturing influence of a motherlike figure. Strether sees Madame de Vionnet as a paragon ofvirtue and thus imagines that she has been the constructive force in Chads maturity. Hisdiscovery of the immoral relationship between Madame de Vionnet and Chad so shocksStrether that he decides to leave Europe. Strether also rejects Miss Gostreys offer of love. Hisfaith in the purity of women has been so shaken that he feels he can no longer trust even hisgood friend, Miss Gostrey.

    Symbols

    Gardens

    The gardens in The Ambassadors function like miniature Gardens of Eden. At many key pointsin the novel, characters enter gardens in which they are then enticed by or learn things that maylure away their innocence. Strether and Miss Gostrey have their first real chat in the garden oftheir hotel in England. Early on, Strether spends time in Luxembourg Gardens on the ParisianLeft Bank. There, he first realizes the Babylon-like qualities of Paris and wonders if the cityseffect on his frame of mind will keep him from properly executing his assigned task ofbringing Chad back to the United States. Later, Strether meets, and falls hard for, Madame deVionnet, in Glorianis garden. Some critics equate Gloriani with the biblical serpent, the devilmasquerading as a snake who enticed Adam and Eve with the apple. Gloriani represents thecultural splendor of Europe. At their meeting, both Gloriani and Madame de Vionnet impressStrether. For Strether, meeting those two characters is equivalent to tasting the fruit ofknowledge: Strether will never be the same again. He loses his innocence and reticence. Fromthat point on, Strether sees Paris through rose-colored glasses and not only begins to enjoy hisstay but also tries to convince Chad to stay permanently as well.

    Paris

    Paris symbolizes the social, intellectual, and imaginative freedom of Europe. In Woollett,Massachusetts, provincial Americans, as epitomized by Mrs. Newsome, fear that Paris will be acorrupting force on Chad, the prodigal son. Throughout the novel, Woollett represents close-minded provincialism, and James contrast the small American town with the cosmopolitanEuropean city. At the time, Parisian culture was thought to encourage sexual misconduct andvile relationships. Mrs. Newsome assumesand fearsthat Chads time in Paris will exposehim to these forces. Strether remembers his first visit to Paris as a young manand he fearsthat his return to the vast bright Babylon, as he calls Paris, will negatively affect him. Hecorrectly realizes that his delight in Paris will permanently change him. But, as the novelprogresses, Strether discovers that the trade-off is worth it. He enjoys Paris, and he welcomesthe subsequent changes in his personality. In Woollett, social proprieties and a timid, youngculture make people anxious and preoccupied. In Paris, however, Strether learns that he is ableto live in the present moment, fully enjoying life.

    Woollett

    Although no part of The Ambassadors takes place in Woollett, Massachusetts, throughout thenovel the city figures as a symbol of the close-minded provincialism of small-town America.Initially, Strether is embarrassed to report to Miss Gostrey that he is from Woollett, because he

  • identifies Woollett with all those things that oppose Parisian openness. Woollett, in the heart ofNew England, symbolizes the immature American cultural landscape. Timid, young Americanculture is so unsure of itself that it fears the influence of all outside forces, including theculturally rich Paris. Eventually, after Strether has experienced the positive effects of Parisiansocial freedom, he declares that Woollett has as a female cultureone characterized bygossiping, fearful women, like Sarah Pocock and Mrs. Newsome. He realizes that if Chadreturns to Woollett, Chad will lose the refinement he has gained in Paris and become just onething: a man out to make money. In this way, Woollett also represents the coarse, capitalisticnature of America in contrast to the artistic, aesthetic Parisian sensibility.

  • Book First

    Summary

    Lambert Strether arrives in Chester, England, after a long journey by boat from the UnitedStates. At the hotel, he asks after his hometown friend, whom he is to meet there. Even thoughStrether learns that Waymarsh has not arrived, he is not disappointed. Meanwhile, he noticesthe familiar face of a young lady. They converse, and she claims to know Waymarsh and tohave visited Waymarshs hometown of Milrose, Connecticut. She observes that the hotel has agarden, and after ten minutes of conversation there, Strether agrees to tour the town with her,after he has tidied up a bit in his room. After doing so, Strether returns and passes into the hallof the hotel with the young lady, where she asks if he knows her name. He admits that he doesnot. She explains that she asked after him at the front desk and gives him her card with hername, Maria Gostrey, and address in Paris on it. Strether remarks oddly that he comes fromWoollett, Massachusetts. Miss Gostrey laughs. Strether displays mild embarrassment whenspeaking of his New England hometown.

    Gostrey and Strether set out to tour Chester, and walk along the medieval wall that encloses thecity. While walking, Strether remembers that it was here, twenty-five years ago, that he walkedduring his first and only other trip to Europe. At this thought, Strether begins to think ofWaymarsh and looks at his watch. Miss Gostrey sees the gesture and asks if Strether finds theirwalk inappropriate. Strether insists that he does not and explains that this is his weakness: he isunable to focus on the present and is always considering unrelated matters. Miss Gostrey callsthis a failure to enjoy life. He asks her to help him recover, and she agrees. When they arriveback at the hotel, Waymarsh is waiting. All three speak together, but Strether soon takesWaymarsh up to his room.

    Later, neither man is able to sleep, so they reconvene at midnight. Waymarsh reports that he isbored in Europe. His goal is not fulfilled: he has not fully separated from his wife. Shecontinues to send him angry letters. He inquires as to Strethers reason for visiting Europe. Heasks why Strether has traveled to Europe alone and not with his fiance, Mrs. Newsome.Strether reports that he is there, rather, on her business. He urges Waymarsh to let him explainthe nature of the business at a later time. Strether asks Waymarsh to travel with him to London.The next morning Strether reports last nights conversation to Miss Gostrey. Strether had hopedshe would show him Europe properly, and she explains that guiding Americans through Europeis her unofficial profession. Her specialty, she adds, is getting them to leave.

    Miss Gostrey and the two men then take a walk together. They walk for a long while, duringwhich time Strether reflects on his attitudes toward Europe. He hopes that in Europe he will bebetter able to experience the sweetness and feeling of leisure that is possible only on thatparticular continent. After a long period of silence, Waymarsh suddenly runs away from thegroup and into a shop. Alone with Strether, Miss Gostrey takes a moment to compare the men.She finds Strether superior to Waymarsh. Strether protests, pointing out that Waymarsh is moresuccessful financially. But money does not interest Miss Gostrey. When Waymarsh returnswith his purchase, Strether calls his action a sacred rage.

  • Analysis

    As in many of Jamess novels, the opening paragraph of The Ambassadors introduces many ofthe themes that will be explored throughout the course of the novel. In this single paragraph, welearn that Strether is an American visiting Europe, that in Europe he feels a personal freedomhe had not felt while in America, and that he has come to Europe seeking certain Americancontacts (the first being his friend Waymarsh). These facts help establish the central focus ofthe novel: this is a story about the interaction between Europe and America as dramatizedthrough the experiences of one man, Lambert Strether. Before we learn why Strether hastraveled to Europe, before we get the details about what he intends to do there, and even beforewe know anything specific about the man, we learn about how he feels different in Europe thanhe had in America. In this way, James foregrounds an aspect of the novel that may have seemedinsignificant if it had been introduced alongside the numerous specific details about Stretherand his mission. James clearly highlights the importance of this contrast between Europe andthe United States.

    In addition to laying out a thematic focus, the opening chapter of The Ambassadors alsodemonstrates the roles to be played by both the narrative voice and the character of Strether.From the opening pages, plot points, like setting, time, and physical description, come second.Instead, Strethers thoughts are the focus of the narration. The novel opens with thedramatization of Strethers mental activity coupled with an intellectual action: the openingthree words of the novel are Strethers first question, followed by a discussion of how hefeels about Waymarsh, the friend he has come to meet. This beginning places Strethersconsciousness at the heart of the work. Strethers thoughts, feelings, and perspectivethat is,the way he sees the world and thinks about itare what the novel is about. Strether, thephysical man, is just a vessel for Jamess stream-of-consciousness discussion. Put another way,Strether is not the main character of the novel, but his mind is.

    The Ambassadors begins in media res, which means, literally, in the middle of things, as away of familiarizing readers with Jamess somewhat convoluted form. Jamess novels takework to understandand The Ambassadors is no exception. James uses the first book toestablish the type of work the reader will need to perform to derive meaning from the novel. Ittakes James many pages to explain the true purpose of Strethers time in Europe and to give thefull history of Strethers life. The delay in explaining the plot lets James focusesmicroscopically on Strethers mental minutia. The narrator describes what is on Strethersmind and what passes before Strethers eyes, rarely stepping back to explain events thathappened to Strether in the past or that are occurring in places where Strether is not. Ratherthan using the narrator to answer basic who-what-where-when questions about Strether, Jamesuses the narrator to emphasize the novels main formal technique. This technique relies onStrethers mental gymnastics and dialogue to fill the reader in on details that exist outside ofthe present moment. Only by following Strethers early conversations with Waymarsh andMiss Gostrey will readers be able to understand the essential reason for Strethers visit toEurope.

  • Book Second

    Summary

    Before Strether goes to the theater with Miss Gostrey on his third day in London, they eatdinner together at his hotel. When she arrives, he realizes that he has never dined with a womanbefore attending the theater. He married as a young man and, even after his wife died, neverbecame involved in such activities. At dinner, he sits opposite Miss Gostrey and compares herto Mrs. Newsome. Unlike Mrs. Newsome, who wears conservative clothing, Miss Gostreydresses with flair. Strether finds her style to be much more appealing than Mrs. Newsomes.However, this realizationand her stylemakes him feel a little self-conscious. The play isabout a bad woman and an innocent, attractive young man. It reminds Strether of his mission:to rescue Mrs. Newsomes son, Chad, from the influences of a similar woman. In conversation,Miss Gostrey infers the rest: Strethers mission is to pry Chad free and return him to Woollett,where he will run his familys business. She is right.

    Together, Miss Gostrey and Strether discuss his ambassadorial assignment. Strether explainsthat Chad is twenty-eight and has one older, married sister. Strether assumes that Chads lovermust be vile and admits that, in addition to being his fiance, Mrs. Newsome is his employer,funding the magazine he edits. He also admits that he somewhat fears Sarah Pocock, Chadssister. Sitting on a divan in the theater lobby after the play, while they wait for a cab for MissGostrey, she suggests that Europe may have refined Chad rather than spoilt him. Stretherprotests. Miss Gostrey assumes that Strether thinks he is doing Chad a great service andStrether agrees. He is convinced that Chad will be better off in Woollett married to the girl theyhave in mind for him, Mamie Pocock. Mamie, he clarifies, is the sister of Chads sistershusbandand the most beloved eligible girl in Woollett. She then asks him what he will gainfor successfully completing this task. Although Strether insists that he will gain nothing, hesimultaneously admits that he stands to lose everything should he fail to bring Chad home.With that, Miss Gostrey enters the cab alone.

    Later, on his second day in Paris, Strether goes to the bank to pick up his mail. He feels guiltythat he went to the theater again, this time with Waymarsh, who has joined him in Paris.Strether thinks that all his actions should relate directly to his mission. But he does not open hisletters right away. Instead, he takes a leisurely walk around town. He walks to the LuxembourgGardens on the river Seine and begins to dwell on the positive influence of the city on hisdisposition. He flips through a bunch of detailed letters from Mrs. Newsome and discovers thathis absence is hardly felt in Woollett. In the gardens, he feels relaxed. In Europe, unlike inWoollett, he feels a great sense of escape.

    Strether reminisces about his business and personal failures. He wonders if he failed his youngson (now deceased) by mourning too long for the mother. He recalls his earlier trip to Europeand remembers how, after returning from that trip, he had brought home not only literarysouvenirs but also a greatly improved sense of taste and inspiration. In addition, he broughthome to the United States an immeasurable optimism, and he feels it again. He then wonders ifthe excitement of Paris is distracting him from his task and navigates the city streets again. Hecomes upon the Boulevard Malesherbes, opposite Chads building. Looking up, he sees a young

  • man smoking on the balcony. The man notices him. Although he knows the man is not Chad,Strether feels drawn to this youth as if to a version of Chad. He crosses the street and enters thehouse.

    Analysis

    The second book continues to emphasize the contrasts between Europe and the United Statesthrough the experiences of Strether. This book informs readers about Strethers past, includinghis personal history and his relationship to American puritan culture. Although it may seemsurprising that Strether had never in his life dined alone with a women before going out for theevening, in turn-of-the century New England, however, this kind of intimate engagement with amember of the opposite sex was reserved only for courtship and sexual relationships. Seen inhistorical context, it makes sense that Strether, who married young and never courted as awidower, would not have taken part in such an activity. But this detail does not simplyhighlight the difference between the social freedom of European culture and the morerestrained social practices in Woollett, Massachusetts. This detail also exposes the deepinfluence American puritan culture has on Strether as an individual. But, while he is unused tothe social openness and freedom of Paris, his dinner with Miss Gostrey shows that he isbeginning to adjust to it. At dinner, when Strether compares Miss Gostrey to Mrs. Newsome,Miss Gostrey comes out favorably. He shows his open-mindedness and willingness to see thepositive nature of European freedom. Strethers entire relationship to puritan culture is on theverge of changing dramatically.

    The conversation between Miss Gostrey and Strether regarding his mission to Parisdemonstrates the small-town, provincial outlook of Woollett, Massachusetts. As Strether talks,it becomes obvious that his friends in Woollett have a blatant bias against Paris. They considerChad to be the prodigal son, who must return to the United States to take over the mysteriousfamily business and save it from ruin. Interestingly, Strether never reveals the nature of thebusiness; he will only tell Miss Gostrey that it is vulgar. The people of Woollett believe Paristo be an evil place. They also assume that an unhealthy liaison with a woman keeps Chad inParisthat someone might stay in Paris of his own volition is unimaginable. To Strether, andto the Woollett community he represents, Paris seems to have bewitched Chad. Strether hasarrived to break the spell, embodied in the form of a female seductress. At this stage, Stretherknows nothing but these suspicions. But Miss Gostrey helps Strether begin to see just howlimited and provincial his outlook really is. Familiar with the reality of the Parisian sociallandscape, Miss Gostrey begins to help Strether readjust his perspective. At this point, sheassumes her role as Strethers guide and confidant. As such, she offers Strether his firstglimpse of new understanding by suggesting that Europe may not be the place Woollett thinksit is.

    This book also reveals Strethers complicated relationships with women. Despite theirengagement, the relationship between Strether and Mrs. Newsome comes off as cold, devoid ofpassion, and baldly economic: Mrs. Newsome is not only Strethers fiance but also hisemployer. He speaks of Mrs. Newsome as an important social figure back in Massachusetts andas an old friend. But he speaks of her as coldly and objectively as one might speak of a publicfigure or a politician, not as one might speak of a betrothed. Even though Strether speakspositively about Mrs. Newsome, she comes off in a very negative light, particularly when

  • compared to young, pert Miss Gostrey. Nevertheless, Strether ultimately leaves Miss Gostreyand returns to Mrs. Newsome in the final book. Throughout The Ambassadors, the manner inwhich Strether thinks about things and the way he chooses to speak about them often contradictone another. The novels meaning resides in what is shown, not in what is said.

  • Book Third

    Summary

    That evening, Strether eats dinner with Waymarsh. They discuss Stethers walk around the city,and Strether reports that he plans to have breakfast the following morning with the young manhe met at Chads apartment. Waymarsh criticizes Strethers method of checking in on Chad.Strether admits that he really knows very little about Chads situation. He then explains that theyoung man he met is named John Little Bilham. Little Bilham is house-sitting for Chad whilehe is in Cannes (a French resort town). Waymarsh asks if Chad is with a woman in Cannes, butStrether does not know. Strether asks Waymarsh to join him the next day for the meeting but issurprised, the next day, when Waymarsh does decide to join him. They eat in Chads apartment,along with another friend of Chads, Miss Barrace. Strether wonders if Bilham is trying todeceive him by inviting Miss Barrace but decides, in the end, to just focus on how thingsappear on the surface.

    At the end of the week, Miss Gostrey arrives in Paris. Strether, who is very excited to see her,goes to visit her as soon as he is notified of her arrival. At her apartment, Strether recaps hisentire first week in Paris and finds himself significantly at ease in her presence. He tells her thestory of his meeting with Bilham and reports that he likes Bilham a great deal. Miss Gostreyrequests her own meeting with Bilham so that she can form her own opinion of the young man.She also comments on everything Strether has learned of Chad. She asks Strether if it all seemsas dreadful as he anticipated and laughs when Strether reports that it actually seems quitewonderful. Miss Gostrey explains that Chad would not go to Cannes with the kind of vilewoman Strether suspected, because Cannes is too classy a town to permit that type ofimmorality. All Strether can say is that he enjoyed his time with Bilham and hopes to see himmore.

    Miss Gostrey meets Bilham at the Louvre (the largest art gallery in Paris) some days later. LikeStrether, she also enjoys Bilham a great deal. Strether assumes that her approval of Bilhamequals an approval of his methods of intervening in Chads life. The day following the Louvrevisit, Strether and Miss Gostrey join Bilham in his apartment, a small artists studio. Later,Miss Gostrey invites Strether, along with Waymarsh and Bilham, to a performance at the mostpopular theater in France, the Comedie Francaise. Bilham accepts the invitation but does notshow up. Miss Gostrey pronounces that Bilham is working under the direction of Chad viatelegraph from Cannes and theorizes that Chad has orchestrated even Strethers incipientfriendship with Bilham. Right then, a stranger is seated in their box just as the play begins. Thestranger, Strether realizes, is Chad, much changed. Although Strether contemplates askingChad outside to talk, he does nothing. Rather, he contemplates the changes in Chadsdemeanor: with gray hair and an improved appearance, Chad strikes Strether as incrediblymature.

    Analysis

    The third book begins by emphasizing the novels form over its content. Much of the action ofThe Ambassadors takes place offscreen, literally in the white space between chapters and

  • books. Rather than filling readers on the details, James chooses another narrative technique: hesituates two characters in a retrospective conversation before setting out to continue the actionof the novel. At the beginning of the third book, the offscreen action of the second book getsexplained. Apparently, at the end of the second book, Strether went up to Chads apartment andmet little Bilham. By the time the third book begins, this meeting has already taken place, butreaders learn about it only after Strether recounts it to Waymarsh over dinner. The significanceof this conversation is the way that Strether relates the event in his own words. For a moment,Strether assumes the narration to contextualize the events that took place between chapters.Strether, as narrator, can show his feelings, rather than merely telling his feelings, through whathe chooses to sayor not to sayabout the meeting with Bilham.

    The manner in which Strether relates the tale of his meeting with little Bilham to Waymarshdemonstrates the great degree to which Paris has affected him, even after such a short stay.Strether takes great delight not only in his new friendship but also with the exciting adventuresof Chad in glamorous Cannes. That Chad might be eluding him or that Bilham might bedeceiving him never crosses Strethers mind. For a man on a mission, Strether seemsremarkably unaffected by the fact that he has yet to even see Chad. Possibly Strethers lack ofinterest stems from the fact that Strether has become more interested in his own life, in livinghis life to the fullest and savoring his experiences, than in rescuing Chad. Strether is not amoralistic man: although he has morals, he does not often try to impose his ideas of moralityonto others. (This characteristic lets him encourage Chad to stay in Paris even after hediscovers the true nature of Chads relationship with Madame de Vionnet.) He acts on Chadsbehalf only to the degree that the Woollett contingent has asked him to so act. But Strether isunable to ignore the effect that Paris is having on him, and he cannot help but fall for littleBilhamand for the enchanted Parisian artists life that Bilham represents.

    The third book ends with a significant plot development that underscores Strethers changes:Chad arrives. In a markedly dramatic moment, he sneaks into the theater box just as the show isbeginning. Significantly, no one reacts to his arrival until after the playand the beginning ofthe fourth book. Strether feels too nervous to confront Chad right when he enters the booth,even though he recognizes the young man. Strether finds himself taken aback by Chadsapparent physical transformation. Strethers positive reaction to Chads new look reflectsStrethers changingand increasingly positiveoutlook in general. As Strether begins to thinkmore favorably of Paris, he unwittingly allows these new feelings to affect his view of Chadand his mission as ambassador. Miss Gostrey foreshadowed this change when she urgedStrether to withhold his biases until he met Chad and made sure that his supposed Parisianlover had not changed him for the better. At this point, Strether does not remember MissGostreys words, but they will end up being prophetic.

  • Book Fourth

    Summary

    When the play ends, Strether has a drink alone with Chad. Strether wonders if he is being toocruel but nonetheless bluntly tells Chad that he must leave Paris, end his affair, and return toWoollett. After he says what he has to say, Strether realizes that Chads change of charactermay complicate the original plan. He wonders if it is Paris that has made Chad so much morerefined and mature. Chad realizes that Strether has been sent to retrieve him as a weddingpresent to Mrs. Newsome and begins to discuss the character of those in Woollett with Strether.Strether, like those in Woollett, assumes only a woman could be keeping Chad in Paris, anopinion that Chad finds offensive. He asks Strether if he thinks men are only kept in place bythe influence of women. This strikes Strether as an interesting point. Chad then insists that hemake his own decisions, which leads Strether to assume Chad does not have a lover in Paris.

    After their meeting, Chad begins to pay a lot of attention to Strether, and Strether begins towrite fewer letters to Mrs. Newsome. He explains to Miss Gostrey, however, that the few hedoes write are richer in detail. In one of these letters, he writes to tell Mrs. Newsome that thereis no lady in Chads life in Paris. He realizes that this news will make Sarah Pocock suspicious,since she doubts Strethers ability to complete the mission. Sarah Pocock originally proposedthe idea that it must be a woman keeping Chad in the impure land of Europe generally and invile Paris specifically. Miss Gostrey, however, tells Strether that she believes there must be awoman involved with Chad. Unknowingly, Miss Gostrey agrees with Sarah Pocock. But MissGostrey urges Strether to keep an open mind about the nature of Chads lover. Also, she tellsStrether to be skeptical about Chads apparent goodness and his seemingly changed character.Strether finds this to be difficult: everything Chad does seems wonderful to him. Everythingabout Chad seems to have become wonderful during his time in Paris.

    Eventually, Strether asks little Bilham to explain why Chad is unwilling to return to America.Bilham tells Strether that Chad is, indeed, in a relationship. But he clarifies and stresses thatChads relationship is a virtuous one. Knowing this, Strether begins to pressure Chad to set aspecific date for their return to Woollett. Chad asks Strether to wait until he introduces him totwo of his close friends, a mother and a daughter, who are returning to Paris very shortly.Strether meets with Miss Gostrey again and, as usual, seeks her advice on the matter at hand.Immediately, they begin to speculate about Chads relationship to these two women: is heromantically involved with the daughter? Is he in love with the mother? Could they really bevirtuous women? Strether is nervous but also eager to find out.

    Analysis

    The fourth book starkly compares Paris to Woollettto the benefit of the European city andthe detriment of the American city. Chad describes Woollett not as a cultural or social center.Rather, it is a small, provincial piece of New England entrenched in its own customs, populatedby a small, elite group that both fears change and clings to tradition. Unlike Paris, Chadimplies, Woollett has very little to keep a man. In conversation with Strether, Chad contrastshis time in Paris with the Woollett way of life, and he urges Strether to question the repressive

  • ways of the American town. Strether, who has already begun to question the influence ofWoollett on his worldview, is susceptible to Chads insistence that he rethink his hometown.While conversing with Chad, Strether discovers that he has less confidence in his mission thanhe originally assumed he possessed, particularly as he begins to see Woollett in a less flatteringlight. This moment marks the first time that Strethers belief in Mrs. Newsomesambassadorial mission begins to falter, as well as the moment at which the relationshipbetween Chad and Strether begins to take an interesting, intimate shape. Even though theirinteraction continues under the pretense of Mrs. Newsomes assignment, Strether will, fromthis point on, continue to second-guess his mission.

    The conversation between Strether and Chad also demonstrates Strethers complicatedrelationship with women. Like the rest of Woollett, Strether believes that Chad has stayed inParis so long because of a woman. He cannot fathom that Chad might stay in the city for thecity itself. But more than provincialism drives Strethers attitude: he idealizes women. As ayoung man, Strether was unable to deal with the reality of his wifes passing, a failure that, byhis own admission, may have precipitated the death of his young son. Although he never gotover these events (and is still quite prudish with women), he has traveled all the way to Europeto do the bidding of one such woman, Mrs. Newsome, who he admits is very demanding andstubborn. In the conversation between Strether and Chad, Strether assumes, without realizing it,that ones kept only by women, as Chad puts it. When Chad questions Strethers opinion, healso subtly questions the manner in which Strether has chosen to live his life.

    Finally, the conversation between Chad and Strether teaches Strether to take a more active rolein his thought process and his life. Rather than blindly assuming an opinion or worldview to becorrect, Strether must learn to question and analyze the opinion or worldview. After Chadcriticizes Strethers views on the relationship between men and women, Strether begins torealize that he must stop being a passive participant in life. The lived life to which Stretheraspires requires that he askand answerdemanding questions about himself, his opinions,his friends, and even his behavior. By forcing Strether to investigate his own character, Chadwill actually end up helping Strether a lot more than Strether will ever manage to help Chad. Inmany ways, these two men, in such different stages of life and with seemingly oppositeperspectives on Europe, will begin here to slowly switch from one opposition to the other.Although Strether begins as pro-Woollett and Chad as pro-Paris, each man will find the other tobe more compelling then he finds himself. Eventually, when Chad finally comes to understandStrethers perspective, Strether will no longer subscribe to his original stance. Likewise, by thetime Strether comes to understand Chads passion for Europe, Chad will have changed hismind.

  • Book Fifth

    Summary

    The following Sunday, Chad arranges for Strether to meet his female friends, Madame deVionnet and her daughter, Jeanne. He plans to take Strether to a party held in the garden of thefamous Parisian sculptor Gloriani. Strether anticipates the event with great curiosity. Oncethere, the garden and the artistic, fashionable guests make a strong impression on Strether, andhe begins to wonder what impression he is making on them. Strether wonders if he seemsacceptable to the Parisians present, as well as to Chad and his expatriate friends. When littleBilham nears, he longs to ask him bluntly if he passes the test but cannot summon the courage.Instead, Strether asks Bilham about the other guests and whether the de Vionnets have arrived.Bilham says that they have returned to the city, but he is not sure yet if they are at the party.Strether asks Bilham about the virtuous attachment Chad has with these women. Bilham,cryptically, calls the attachment magnificent. Not sure what to do with this information,Strether inquires if Madame de Vionnets husband is still living. When he learns that he is,Strether finalizes his assumption that Chad must be in love with the younger de Vionnet. Just atthat point, Chads friend Miss Barrace arrives and reiterates Bilhams obscure but positiveremarks. Strether begins to ask more questions, but then Chad appears.

    Chad takes Strether to meet Madame de Vionnet. She speaks a unique style of English, whichStrether finds rather charming. He thinks too that she looks rather young. She is dressed inblack, looks thin, and smiles naturally. Together, they walk to a garden bench and sit. Strethertries to imagine a situation in which he could have met Madame de Vionnet in Woollett whilethey discuss simple things, like how much one has heard about the other. Suddenly, a coupleapproaches the bench, and a duchess whisks Madame de Vionnet away. Before Strether canprocess anything about their conversation, Bilham appears. Inspired by his surroundings,Strether begins to speak to Bilham about his experiences in Paris and in Chads world thus far.He also describes his regrets and disappointments. In a speech filled with sudden passion andsage advice, Strether urges Bilham to live and do all he can with the time he has before it is toolate. He also explains that it is too late for him to follow his own advice.

    At that moment, Chad, with a young Jeanne de Vionnet on his arm, approaches the two men.She is wearing white and is very pretty. Jeanne reports to Strether that her mother wants him tovisit her. Again, their conversation is cut short. Chad pulls the girl away from Strether, and heis left again with Bilham, who soon departs. Miss Gostrey then joins Strether on the bench. Heinforms her that Chads lover is the daughter. She, in turn, offers herself as Strethers guide inspecific matters concerning Madame de Vionnet. While the rest of the party heads inside fortea, Miss Gostrey tells Strether that she attended school in Geneva with Madame de Vionnettwenty-three years ago. She also explains that the madame has been living apart from herbrutish husband for years. Finally, Miss Gostrey mentions that she suspects that Madame deVionnet wants Chad to marry her daughter.

    The next morning, Chad visits Strether, and Strether pointedly asks Chad directly if he isengaged to Jeanne. Chad responds that he is not. He then tells Strether that he really wantsStrether to become well acquainted with Madame de Vionnet. Strether agrees, on the condition

  • that Chad surrenders himself to Strether from that point on. Chad says he will.

    Analysis

    The fifth book lets James continue to compare Europe with America but introduces a new lensthrough which to view the two places: society and social interaction. Strether is thrust into theheart of Parisian society at the garden party, which gives him the opportunity to compare itwith Woollett society. His anxiety about whether he fits in emphasizes the glamorous outlookwith which he views Paris. He clearly enjoys the party and the way people socialize and interactwith one another. Even though Gloriani comes off as a caricature of a successful artist andhas no sincere interaction with Strether, Strether finds the man charming. In addition, he likesthe idea that Chad would be in the same social coterie as such a successful and artistic man.The party helps Strether discover a whole new level on which to be delighted with Paris and, inthis way, helps crystallize Strethers good opinion of Europe. He tries to imagine meetingMadame de Vionnet in Woollett but realizes that he could never meet her therebecause she isentirely different from anything American culture could produce. What she is, however, iswonderful, and he cannot help but be charmed by her. By the time he finds himself alone withBilham, his appreciation of Paris has blossomed into something resembling full-blown love.

    As American men in the prime of life, Bilham and Chad represent younger versions of Strether.Because Strether regrets his lifes failures, particularly how little he actually lived orexperienced life as a young man, he hopes to impart his hard-won wisdom on Bilham and Chad.If possible, he wants to prevent them from making the same mistakes he made at their ageand to save them from experiencing the negative emotions Strether now feels when he looksback over his own life. As he sits at the party, feeling happy to be in Paris, Strether becomesinspired to impart this love and these lessons to Bilham. He urges Bilham to live not onlybecause he finds himself living much more fully in Paris, but also because he realizes thatthis way of life has made him a great deal happier. But in advising Bilham, Strether is alsospeaking to himself. You should have lived, he tells himself, and you must try and live everysingle second you still can. This realization colors the rest of Strethers actions throughout theremainder of The Ambassadors. His open-mindedness, his eagerness to understand, and hiswillingness to develop relationships with various people can all be seen as the byproducts ofthis new perspective.

    Formally, Strethers realization acts as the novels first climax, or moment of great intensityand drama. Here, as elsewhere, James lets Strether describe his experiences, rather than usingan impartial narrator. This narrative choice increases the moments drama, because Stretherclearly struggles to articulate his new consciousness and life lessons to Bilham. He speaksslowly, with full pauses and straight dashes. He tries to put this profound disappointment andstartling fresh outlook into words. The dnouement, or tidying up of the messiness of theclimax, will take place in the sixth book. James repeats this structure in the penultimate andfinal books of The Ambassadors: the second climax occurs in the eleventh book and itsdnouement in the twelfth. The first climax allows James to demarcate the sum of the smallchanges Strether has been experiencing throughout the first half of the novel. While in Europe,Strethers perspectives on propriety, on society, and on Europe have changed. Now, in onetheatrical moment, he presents his changed life view to Bilham. He also foreshadows the end ofthe novel, at which point Strether leaves Europe and returns to Woollett.

  • Book Sixth

    Summary

    Later on the same day as the garden party, Strether accompanies Chad on a visit to Madame deVionnets home. After a few minutes, however, Chad departs and leaves Strether alone withMadame de Vionnet. Strether takes note of his surroundings, registering the differences amongthe homes of Madame de Vionnet, Chad, and Miss Gostrey. Madame de Vionnet asks Stretherto become her friend and, in turn, to open himself up to the idea of accepting her and herdaughter, Jeanne. She then asks him about Mrs. Newsome, wondering if she has given up onStrethers ever pulling away from the lure of Europe. She urges Strether to tell Mrs. Newsomethe complete truth about herself and her daughter. Strether asks her if she wants Chad to marryher daughter. She says no, and when Strether presses, Madame de Vionnet explains that Helikes her too much. Strether assumes she means that he likes her too much to hurt her bytaking her to America. Madame de Vionnet asks Strether to convince Mrs. Newsome that shehas been a good influence on Chad. This seems like a simple enough request to Strether, so heassures her that he will try to save her if he can.

    Ten days later, Chad urges Strether to get to know Jeanne de Vionnet. Chad claims that hewants to know what Strether thinks of the young lady. For reasons Strether does not understand,he agrees to meet with her. In Chads parlor, Strether finds himself with Jeanne and remarksthat she is a rather beautiful childa girl who has received an excellent upbringing from hermother, as well as a good education. However, Strether has trouble understanding what servicehe is providing to Chad by being there, next wondering if he might actually be doing Mrs.Newsomes bidding by meeting with the young girl. He realizes that although he is reportingeach of his actions to Mrs. Newsome through letters, he did not write to her about his promiseto Madame de Vionnet. He begins to wonder if he is staying as focused on his task as he couldbe. Just then, Gloriani interrupts Strethers meeting with Jeanne, and Miss Barrace begins tospeak to him instead. She begins to compliment Jeanne, but Strether asks directly, withnewfound confidence, whether Madame de Vionnet will divorce her husband to marry Chad.Caught off-guard, Miss Barrace says that she assumes Madame de Vionnet will not and thattheir relationship will continue as it has been. Strether takes Miss Barraces comments asfurther confirmation that Madame de Vionnet and Chad have a virtuous relationship. MissBarrace and Strether begin talking about Waymarsh.

    Suddenly Madame de Vionnet appears and asks Miss Barrace to leave her alone with Strether.Madame de Vionnet then asks Strether if Miss Gostrey has been avoiding her. Confused,Strether has no answer. The conversation turns to Jeanne, and Madame de Vionnet getsannoyed when Strether will not express his opinion of the girl outright. After they finishtalking, Strethers eyes meet with little Bilhams, and they exchange a short dialogue about thede Vionnet women. Strether asks Bilham why he would not want to marry Jeanne, and Bilhamclaims that he would have no chance to marry her, given the other people involved, includingChad. This comment convinces Strether that he understands the situation. He tells Bilham that,in his opinion, the high fine friendship between Chad and Madame de Vionnet has causedChad to change for the better. Bilham then cautiously tells Strether that Madame de Vionnet

  • perhaps cares more for Chad than Chad cares for her. He asks if Strether will report this toWoollett, and Strether says that he will not. Bilham then suggests that he thinks Chad might beready to go back to America. Strether, disagreeing, explains that he now sees that Madame deVionnet needs to be savedand not Chad. Strether thinks that Chad must stay in Paris in orderto help her.

    Analysis

    The sixth book concludes the first half of The Ambassadors by presenting Strether and hisexperiences in almost complete opposition to how they appeared in the first book. The first sixbooks form a cohesive formal unit, complete with a plot arc, climax, and significant characterdevelopment. Whereas Strether once lacked confidence, he now possesses it, boldly askingMiss Barrace for information about whether Madame de Vionnet will get a divorce. WhereasStrether once relied on Miss Gostrey as a sounding board and fairy godmother, he now blithelygives his opinion of events and interactions, as when he tells Bilham that the virtuousrelationship between Chad and Madame de Vionnet has caused Chad to grow as a person.Whereas he once spent his time checking his watch and hedging, he now moves fromconversation to conversation almost effortlessly. Strether has grown from a hesitant andnervous American abroad into an expressive and content Francophile. Rather than reporteverything back to Mrs. Newsome, he now carefully decides what to put in his lettersandwhat to keep for himself. He has all but abandoned his original mission of bringing Chad backto Woollett in favor of befriending and helping Madame de Vionnet. The Strether of the firstbook probably would not recognizeor likethe Strether of the sixth book.

    Although Strethers allegiance shifts totally and completely from those in Woollett to those inParis, the way he shows this allegiance has not changed. His loyalty now rests with the Parisiancrowd, not with the folks back home. But this new allegiance depends on the truthfulness andtrustworthiness of Bilham. Rather than questioning Bilham, Strether wholeheartedly acceptswhat Bilham says about the nature of the relationship between Chad and Madame de Vionnet.He now takes on Bilhams worldview as easily as he once accepted the provincial outlook ofMrs. Newsome and the rest of Woollett. Caught up with his new friends, Strether believes whatthey tell him. For the moment, Strether has forgotten Miss Gostreys warning about Bilhamstrustworthiness. She pointed out early on that Bilhams loyalty belongs first and foremost toChad. Now Strether has shifted from favoring Mrs. Newsome and wanting to please her tofavoring Madame de Vionnet and wanting to please her. Nevertheless, Strether continues toquestion his own thought process and motivation to some degree, as when he admits to himselfthat he has not been reporting everything to Mrs. Newsome. Although he has not been lying inhis letters, he has not been exactly truthful either. This admission shows that Stretherrecognizes the changing nature of his ambassadorship: he will continue to help Chad but not inthe way Mrs. Newsome has requested.

    To Strether, Madame de Vionnet symbolizes Europe generally and Paris specifically. In thesixth book and elsewhere, the narrator refers to cosmopolitan Parisian women as femmes dumonde, a French phrase meaning women of the world. Interestingly, Miss Gostrey does notfall into this category: worldly as she might be, she is nevertheless an American. As the novelbegins, Strether believes Paris to be as vile as the woman with whom Chad is involved. Hewants only to rescue Chad and return home. Upon spending time in Paris, however, Strether

  • changes his mindand he meets Chads lover just as he begins to enjoy his time in Paris. Hisview of her becomes wrapped up in his changing attitude toward Europe. In fact, the twobecome inextricably linked such that Madame de Vionnet becomes the human embodiment ofthe European city. Strether finds her charming, mysterious, multifaceted, intoxicating, andexotic, much as he finds Paris. As with the city, the woman can be many things to many people,depending on ones outlook. The sixth book concludes with Strether telling Bilham that hewants Chad to stay in Paris, with Madame de Vionnet, another instance of Strether conflatingthe city with the woman.

  • Book Seventh

    Summary

    The book opens twelve days after Strether had dinner with Madame de Vionnet and herdaughter at Chads apartment. At that dinner, he had decided that saving Madame de Vionnet,rather than saving Chad, was his true calling. After making this decision, Strether finds himselfworrying deeply about the state of his relationship with Mrs. Newsome and his progress on hertask. In addition, Miss Gostrey has been away on vacation for weeks, and Strether has not heardfrom her. Strether lacks a friend with whom to process his worries and thus seeks refuge,repeatedly, inside the great Catholic cathedral Notre Dame, in the center of Paris. There, hehopes to escape his worries. During his visits, he finds himself impressed by the focuseddevotion of a conspicuously dressed lady who is often praying when he visits. One day, oncloser inspection, he realizes that this woman is none other than Madame de Vionnet. Theylunch together and talk. Strether finds himself more deeply drawn to Madame de Vionnet. Hetells her that he has written to Mrs. Newsome describing Madame de Vionnet favorably and isawaiting Mrs. Newsomes reply. She asks him if Mrs. Newsome wishes to marry Chad off.Strether finds her to be more wonderful than ever, thinking she is asking for his help in takingcare of Chad.

    Three days later, Strether finally receives a telegraph from Mrs. Newsome. Upon reading it, hebecomes angry and crumples it into his fist, and then he sits in shock. Waymarsh observes himsitting, stunned, but does not confront him immediately. Strether then rescues the letter andsmoothes it out. Looking up, Strether finally notices Waymarsh watching him and gets up tojoin him for dinner. Strether insists to Waymarsh that all is well. The next morning, however,Chad arrives at Strethers room and sees the telegraph. He tells Strether that they should begintheir journey to America straight off. Strether explains that Mrs. Newsome has sent him anultimatum to return to Woollett, with or without Chad, but that he is not ready to go. He tellsChad that if he stays, Mrs. Newsome will send a new batch of ambassadors: her daughter, SarahPocock; Sarahs husband, Jim Pocock; and Jims sister, Mamie Pocock. Chad knows that thismissive means that Mrs. Newsome no longer trusts Strether, and Chad insists that he is ready togo back to Woollett post haste. Strether repeats that he is not ready and asks Chad to help himstay for one more month. Strether reminds Chad that Chad owes him. Chad agrees.

    That day, Strether goes to meet Miss Gostrey at long last. He informs her that Waymarsh hasbeen in communication with Woollett, as an informer. He tells her also about the ultimatum,which is not unexpected. Miss Gostrey finds him positively changed since her departure.However, Strether finds their interaction slightly altered, as if the novelty of their relationshiphas faded along with the novelty of Europe. Strether goes on to explain that he asked Chad tohelp him remain in Europe and that Chad has agreed to stay, for now. Two days after hisconversation with Miss Gostrey, the Pococks send word that they have left Woollett and are ontheir way to Paris. Strether realizes that although he still writes abundantly to Mrs. Newsome,his words are hollow. For her part, she seldom writes to him now, yet she is ever present in hismind. He eagerly awaits the arrival of the second wave of ambassadors, especially SarahPocock, Mrs. Newsomes daughter. He confidently believes that the behavior of Sarah will

  • expose to him the true nature of Mrs. Newsomes feelings toward him.

    Analysis

    James deliberately structured and patterned The Ambassadors so that the two halves of the bookparallel and echo each other. For instance, the first half of the book shows Strether quicklysecuring his two main companions, whose advice he will rely on while in Europe. Strethermeets both Waymarsh and Miss Gostrey in the first chapter. In the seventh book, in the firstchapter of the second half of the novel, Strether meets Madame de Vionnet almostimmediately. This meeting symbolizes a sea change in their interaction: from now on, Stretherwill rely on and frequently interact with the madame. The friendship they develop will lastuntil the very end of the novel. Ironically, Strether meets Madame de Vionnet and becomespersonally acquainted with her while seeking solitude in Notre Dame. In the first book, Strethermet Miss Gostrey under similar circumstances: after he learned that Waymarsh had beendetained, and thus Strether would be alone in England for a while.

    In addition to the parallel early meetings between Strether and the two women, both beginningchapters introduce the challenges that Strether will face in the upcoming chapters. The firstbook introduces readers to Chad, to his life in Paris, and to Strethers mission. We also see thecharacters anxiously anticipating Chads arrival. Strether spends a lot of time preparing for themeeting with Chad, and the narration dramatizes his internal deliberations by presentingStrethers discourse with Miss Gostrey. The seventh book introduces us to the Pocock clan, thesecond wave of ambassadors, and we begin to understand the full import of their arrival.Strethers relationship with Mrs. Newsome has fundamentally altered for the worse. In bothearly chapters, Strethers thoughts and conversations with others about the impending actionprovide the context for the arrival. As in the first half of the book, an upcoming meeting makesthe characters antsy with anticipation. In the novels second half, Strether discusses theeventual arrival of Sarah Pocock and her clan with Madame de Vionnet, Chad, and MissGostrey. His thoughts about the new ambassadors become as all consuming as his thoughtsabout Chad had been at the opening of the novel.

    Both opening chapters also present Strether as processing intense emotions. In the first chapter,Strether feels a renewed sense of freedom and optimism after many years of stagnation andboredom. Now, in Book Seventh, Strether struggles to come to terms with the repercussions ofhis earned freedom. Strether has taken six booksthe entire first half of The Ambassadorstoreject Mrs. Newsomes mission. The second half of the novel begins another journey towardanother transition for Strether. By mirroring the structure of the novels opening, Jamesforeshadows the course of the second half of the book: Strether shall learn a lot about life, buthe shall suffer for this knowledge.

    Finally, both chapters have a peculiar relationship to the interior and exterior worlds. Neitheropening chapter focuses on exteriors. Similarly, neither opening gives much descriptionrelating to the time, setting, or space. Nevertheless, both chapters take place in specific places:the first occurs in the garden of a hotel in Chester, England. We do not know the name of thehotel, but we do know that the town exits in real life. The lack of physical description freesreaders to focus on the development of the characters, as portrayed by the interaction betweenStrether and Miss Gostrey. In contrast, Book Seventh begins in Notre Dame, a famous cathedral

  • in Paris. Many readers both past and present would have some familiarity with the cathedraland would thus be able to situate the fictional characters into a real place. Although bothchapters document Strethers perceptions and foreground how these perceptions shall change,the opulent setting of Book Seventh indicates the greater significance of the changes to come.

  • Book Eighth

    Summary

    Strether feels tense as he waits for the arrival of the Pococks. He spends a lot of time alone. Heis suspicious of Waymarsh, because he now knows that Waymarsh has been in touch withWoollett, and he is not spending as much time with Miss Gostrey. One day, knowing that Chadis out of town, he visits Madame de Vionnet and discovers that she is out of town as well. Forreasons he cannot explain, this coincidence shakes Strethers confidence. The Pococks arrive inthe port of Havre and then take the train to Paris. Chad, back in Paris, and Strether take a cabtogether to the Paris station to meet them. Strether describes himself as an outgoingambassador and speaks openly to Chad during the ride about how he feels. He asks Chad if heintends to introduce Sarah Pocock to Madame de Vionnet, and Chad replies that he does. Chadthen asks Strether if he intends to introduce Sarah to Miss Gostrey, and Strether replies that hedoes not.

    In the next scene, Strether and Jim Pocock, Sarahs husband, return from the train stationtogether in a carriage. As they weave through town, Jim and Strether discuss the state of thingsin Woollett and Jims expectations for his time in Paris. Strether is in very good spirits,because he is convinced he saw Sarah smile at him when they met her at the dock. He interpretsthis smile to mean that Mrs. Newsome still trusts him and is happy with his actions in Paris. Heis a little disconcerted, however, and a bit disappointed, that the new arrivals did not notice assignificant a change in Chad as Strether had noticed when he first saw Chad at the theater. Eventhough Jim is a successful Woollett businessman, Strether finds him to be a bit of an odd manout. Jim is in a good mood and has high hopes for a very enjoyable Parisian vacation. He eventhanks Strether for acting in such a way as to facilitate his trip.

    Jim goes on to imply that Mrs. Newsome is still interested in Strether, both as an ambassadorand as a potential husband. Strether want to trust Jim but suspects that Jim is not actually fullyaware of the state of things in Woollett. The next day, Strether gets the opportunity to find outmore a