The Bostonians, Volume II

Name: The Bostonians, Volume II
Author: Henry James

The novel revolves around Olive Chancellor, a wealthy and idealistic spinster who becomes infatuated with Basil Ransom, a Southern lawyer. She invites him to Boston to help her friend Verena Tarrant, a young woman who has become a popular public speaker on women's rights. As the story unfolds, Olive's obsession with Basil grows, while Verena begins to develop feelings for him as well. The novel explores themes of feminism, class, and social status in late 19th-century Boston, highlighting the tensions between old money and new ideas. Through the characters' interactions, James critiques the excesses of the women's rights movement and the societal pressures that shape their lives. The novel ultimately presents a nuanced portrayal of the complexities and contradictions of human relationships.

By Henry James · First published 1886 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction · 19 chapters · 99,036 words

First lines

A little more than an hour after this he stood in the parlour of Doctor Tarrant's suburban residence, in Monadnoc Place. He had induced a juvenile maid-servant, by an appeal somewhat impassioned, to let the ladies know that he was there; and she had returned, after a long absence, to say that Miss Tarrant would come down to him in a little while. He possessed himself, according to his wont, of the nearest book (it lay on the table, with an old magazine and a little japanned tray containing Tarrant's professional cards -- his denomination as a mesmeric healer), and spent ten minutes in turning it over. It was a biography of Mrs. Ada T. P. Foat, the celebrated trance-lecturer, and was embellished by a portrait representing the lady with a surprised expression and innumerable ringlets. Ransom said to himself, after reading a few pages, that much ridicule had been cast upon Southern literature; but if that was a fair specimen of Northern!

What this Textopian page supports

The Bostonians, Volume II is listed on Textopian as a novel by Henry James, dated 1886 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: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Social Commentary, Psychological Fiction, Romance, Satire
Length: 99,036 words
Structure: 19 chapters, 1,312 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering The Bostonians, Volume II?
How does this novel by Henry James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book is characterized by its detailed exploration of characters and social settings, typical of literary fiction.
Social Commentary — The narrative delves into themes of feminism, politics, and societal norms, providing a critique of the social issues of the time.
Psychological Fiction — The book focuses on the inner thoughts and motivations of its characters, exploring their psychological complexities.
Romance — There are elements of romantic relationships and emotional entanglements that drive part of the plot.