CRITICISM AND THE "MAJOR PHASE" THE SUBJECT OF HENRY JAMES'S THE GOLDEN BOWL

Abstract

<p>This thesis is directed towards arriving at a greater understanding of the 'subject' of The Golden Bowl, in the light of a representative selection of criticism on the novel. As will be shown in Chapter II, much of this criticism has failed to recognise the supreme fusion between form and content in this novel, as is witnessed by the multitudinous analyses which examine either form or content whilst ignoring this complete fusion. The result of this 'error' has been talk of saints and witehes. By analysing this discrepancy, a valid framework will be provided that will give a greater scope to an understanding of this fusion than would otherwise be possible. From such a starting-point, the thesis will argue that this last novel of the so-called 'trilogy' is James's supreme achievement, his most perfect production in the particular medium with which he was so familiar and so capable.</p>