The Point of View

Henry James (1843 - 1916) was one of the leaders in the school of realism in fiction. He is known for his series of novels in which he portrayed the encounter of America with Europe. James is considered to be the master of the novel and novella. James wrote about personal relationships and the power within these relationships. James explored consciousness and perception from the point of view of a character within a tale. James wrote Point of View in the form of letters written from European characters visiting America to their friends in Europe. The first letter is from young Aurora Church telling her mother of her excitement at seeing America. Her mother responds with her apprehensions about the people Aurora will meet.

American novelist, short-story writer, and man of letters, James is major figure in the history of the novel. He was a pioneer of psychological realism and complex prose style.