The Story of It by Henry James
It revolves around a young American woman who travels to Europe with her cousin and becomes embroiled in a complex web of relationships and moral dilemmas. The story explores themes of identity, morality, and the complexities of human relationships.
By Henry James · First published 1904 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Domestic Fiction · 3 chapters · 9,066 words
First lines
The weather had turned so much worse that the rest of the day was certainly lost. The wind had risen and the storm gathered force; they gave from time to time a thump at the firm windows and dashed even against those protected by the verandah their vicious splotches of rain. Beyond the lawn, beyond the cliff, the great wet brush of the sky dipped deep into the sea. But the lawn, already vivid with the touch of May, showed a violence of watered green; the budding shrubs and trees repeated the note as they tossed their thick masses, and the cold troubled light, filling the pretty saloon, marked the spring afternoon as sufficiently young. The two ladies seated there in silence could pursue without difficulty -- as well as, clearly, without interruption -- their respective tasks; a confidence expressed, when the noise of the wind allowed it to be heard, by the sharp scratch of Mrs. Dyott's pen at the table where she was busy with letters.
What this Textopian page supports
The Story of It 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, Domestic Fiction, Social Commentary, Romance
- Length: 9,066 words
- Structure: 3 chapters, 214 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Story of It by Henry James
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Story of It?
- 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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- The Birthplace by Henry James
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- The American by Henry James
- The Chaperon by Henry James
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Genres
- Literary Fiction — The narrative focuses on character development, intricate relationships, and the subtleties of social interactions, hallmarks of literary fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters, exploring their psychological complexities.
- Domestic Fiction — The setting and plot revolve around domestic life and the personal relationships within it.
- Social Commentary — The narrative critiques and reflects on societal norms and behaviors, particularly in the context of relationships and social expectations.
Tags
Psychological Fiction · Realism · Philosophical Themes · Existential Crisis · Coming-of-Age Story · Social Commentary · Class Conflict · Identity Crisis · Morality Play · Symbolism · Stream-of-Consciousness · Inner Monologue