The Next Time by Henry James (1904)
The novel revolves around a young American woman who travels to Europe with her husband and becomes infatuated with an older man. The story explores themes of love, marriage, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Henry James · First published 1904 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary · 18,995 words
First lines
Mrs. Highmore's errand this morning was odd enough to deserve commemoration: she came to ask me to write a notice of her great forthcoming work. Her great works have come forth so frequently without my assistance that I was sufficiently entitled on this occasion to open my eyes; but what really made me stare was the ground on which her request reposed, and what leads me to record the incident is the train of memory lighted by that explanation. Poor Ray Limbert, while we talked, seemed to sit there between us: she reminded me that my acquaintance with him had begun, eighteen years ago, with her having come in precisely as she came in this morning to bespeak my charity for him. If she didn't know then how little my charity was worth she is at least enlightened about it to-day, and this is just the circumstance that makes the drollery of her visit.
What this Textopian page supports
The Next Time is listed on Textopian as a short story by Henry James, dated 1904 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Henry James
- Date: 1904 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Social Commentary, Realism
- Length: 18,995 words
- Structure: 1 section, 189 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Next Time by Henry James
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Next Time?
- How does this short story by Henry James fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development and explores complex themes of artistic struggle and societal expectations.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and motivations of the protagonist, examining the psychological impact of failure and ambition.
- Social Commentary — The work critiques the societal pressures and cultural norms surrounding artistic success and recognition.
- Realism — The narrative style and setting aim to depict a realistic portrayal of the characters' lives and the challenges they face.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · Philosophical Themes · Moral Ambiguity · Social Commentary · Marriage · Relationships · Identity Crisis · Existentialism · Human Nature · Morality · Ethics