There is something about the human mind that does not like uncertainty; a mystery leaves a hole in the psyche that simply must be filled. This is a rather good thing for the survival of the species. If you heard a strange growl behind you and you didn’t wonder what was causing it, you might not be around to generate offspring. That doesn’t explain, though, why we like to know what happened in a bit of fiction. Consider Henry James’ “The Turn of the Screw.” The story is Henry James looking … [Read more...] about Faith and Uncertainty
Henry James
The American National Quality?
“She had the American national quality—she had ‘faculty’ in a supreme degree.” The “she” is the titular character in Henry James’ short story “Mrs. Temperly” (included in the Library of America’s Complete Stories 1884-1891). Like every work by James, the story is calculated to describe with exquisite precision how life works. Our protagonist, Raymond, is in love with Mrs. Temperly’s daughter, Dora, and wants to marry her. Without ever saying to either Raymond or Dora that the marriage should … [Read more...] about The American National Quality?