The Aspern Papers - Henry James

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Résumé :
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Biographie:
Daisy Miller is a novella by Henry James that first appeared in Cornhill Magazine in June-July 1878, and in book form the following year. It portrays the courtship of the beautiful American girl Daisy Miller by Winterbourne, a sophisticated compatriot of hers. His pursuit of her is hampered by her own flirtatiousness, which is frowned upon by the other expatriates when they meet in Switzerland and Italy.Annie Daisy Miller and Frederick Winterbourne first meet in Vevey, Switzerland, in a garden of the grand hotel,[2] where Winterbourne is allegedly vacationing from his studies (an attachment to an older lady is rumoured). They are introduced by Randolph Miller, Daisy's nine-year-old brother. Randolph considers their hometown of Schenectady, New York, to be absolutely superior to all of Europe. Daisy, however, is absolutely delighted with the continent, especially the high society she wishes to enter.Winterbourne is at first confused by her attitude, and though greatly impressed by her beauty, he soon determines that she is nothing more than a young flirt. He continues his pursuit of Daisy in spite of the disapproval of his aunt, Mrs. Costello, who spurns any family with so close a relationship to their courier as the Millers have with their Eugenio. She also thinks Daisy is a shameless girl for agreeing to visit the Ch?teau de Chillon with Winterbourne after they have known each other for only half an hour. The next day, the two travel to Ch?teau de Chillon and although Winterbourne had paid the janitor for privacy, Daisy is not quite impressed. Winterbourne then informs Daisy that he must go to Geneva the next day. Daisy feels disappointment and chaffs him, eventually asking him to visit her in Rome later that year.In Rome, Winterbourne and Daisy meet unexpectedly in the parlor of Mrs. Walker, an American expatriate, whose moral values have adapted to those of Italian society. Rumors about Daisy meeting with young Italian gentlemen make her socially exceptionable under these criteria. Winterbourne learns of Daisy's increasing intimacy with a young Italian of questionable society, Giovanelli, as well as the growing scandal caused by the pair's behaviour. Daisy is undeterred by the open disapproval of the other Americans in Rome, and her mother seems quite unaware of the underlying tensions. Winterbourne and Mrs. Walker attempt to persuade Daisy to separate from Giovanelli, but she refuses.

Sommaire:
Henry James was an American-British author celebrated as a pivotal figure between literary realism and modernism, often regarded as one of the greatest novelists in the English language. Born on April 15, 1843, he was the son of Henry James Sr. and the brother of philosopher William James and diarist Alice James. Best known for his exploration of social and marital dynamics among ?migr? Americans and Europeans, his notable works include The Portrait of a Lady, The Ambassadors, and The Wings of the Dove. James delved into the complexities of human psychology, often portraying ambiguous motives, a technique likened to Impressionist painting. His novella The Turn of the Screw is renowned for its depth and ambiguity. In The Point of View, James examines the subjective nature of perception, emphasizing how individual perspectives shape understanding and relationships. Through his rich narratives, he invites readers to reflect on the intricacies of human connection and the art of storytelling....