A Passionate Pilgrim by Henry James
The novel revolves around a young American woman who travels to Europe with her family and becomes infatuated with an older man. She returns alone to the continent several years later, determined to rekindle their romance. However, she finds that he has become increasingly distant and emotionally unavailable. As she navigates this complex relationship, she must confront her own desires and limitations, as well as the societal expectations placed upon her. The novel explores themes of love, identity, and cultural differences between America and Europe. The protagonist's inner world is characterized by a deep sense of longing and disillusionment, which serves as a counterpoint to the more superficial social interactions she experiences in Europe. Through her struggles, the novel raises questions about the nature of passion, intimacy, and personal growth.
By Henry James · First published 1910 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Travel Fiction, Psychological Fiction · 4 chapters · 33,172 words
First lines
Intending to sail for America in the early part of June, I determined to spend the interval of six weeks in England, to which country my mind's eye only had as yet been introduced. I had formed in Italy and France a resolute preference for old inns, considering that what they sometimes cost the ungratified body they repay the delighted mind. On my arrival in London, therefore, I lodged at a certain antique hostelry, much to the east of Temple Bar, deep in the quarter that I had inevitably figured as the Johnsonian. Here, on the first evening of my stay, I descended to the little coffee-room and bespoke my dinner of the genius of "attendance" in the person of the solitary waiter. No sooner had I crossed the threshold of this retreat than I felt I had cut a golden-ripe crop of English "impressions."
What this Textopian page supports
A Passionate Pilgrim is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry James, dated 1910 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Henry James
- Date: 1910 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Travel Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Realism
- Length: 33,172 words
- Structure: 4 chapters, 473 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for A Passionate Pilgrim by Henry James
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The book is characterized by its focus on character development, intricate prose, and exploration of complex themes.
- Travel Fiction — The narrative centers around a journey and the protagonist's experiences in a foreign land, highlighting cultural contrasts.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters, emphasizing psychological depth.
- Realism — The book portrays realistic characters and settings, focusing on everyday life and social dynamics.
Tags
Romance · Novel · American Literature · 19th Century Fiction · Psychological Insight · Social Commentary · Marriage · Love · Identity Crisis · Coming of Age · Self-Discovery · Morality