The American の一研究 : 最後の決断をめぐって
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概要
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The focus of this essay is an examination of Henry James's The American. The American is a story which shows how our hero decorates himself with his previously unknown aspects of European traditions. An American businessman called Christopher Newman goes to Paris, France, and struggles to find out something he has never experienced in his home country. He has been looking for business ventures. However, after arriving in Paris, he greatly changes himself and attempts to see, feel and touch the historical and traditional values Europe has conserved for a long time. The author explains how this story proceeded in his "later" preface. James seems to have referred to two main events : an "encounter" of our hero with a copier at the Louvre and a "refusal" by the Bellegardes of his marriage proposal to their daughter, Madame de Cintre. While he receives a negative response from Madame de Cintre, he comes to learn a secret story about the French aristocratic family. Newman has a great card in hand ; however, he never resorts to playing it. The question now becomes, 'Why did he throw away such a good card?' I put forth three remarkable scenes in order to clarify why he gives up. First, I will look into what decisions lead the Bellegardes into refusing Christopher Newman. Second, I will trace back to what makes our hero propose to Madame de Cintre. Finally, I will examine what the so-called "playing the final card" means to him. In conclusion, I comment on the hero's final decision. He forgives the French aristocratic family rather than pursuing revenge. This seems to have been a painful and serious decision for him. He completely understands that there remains a great distance between his own home country and Europe, but he still would prefer the happiness of his beloved woman.
- 京都文教大学の論文
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