THE AMERICAN - Page 2 of 4 - book summaries and study materials

Summary and Analysis Chapter XXV

Summary Newman calls upon the Grand Duchess and for a long time they talk about all sorts of impersonal things. He never has a chance to talk about the Bellegardes. Then an Italian prince is announced. She tells Newman not to leave because the prince might be a bore, but […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XXIV

Henry James

Summary Newman goes to the nunnery on Sunday morning and is shocked by the bleak, barren stone. When he hears the nuns enter, they are singing or chanting, but it sounded more like a wail and a dirge. “It was hideous, it was horrible.” Newman could stand it no longer; […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XXIII

Henry James

Summary Newman returned to Paris in order to plan and nurse his revenge. He walked to Madame de Bellegarde’s and inquired if the lady had returned. He was disgusted to think that she would not receive him and he might have to resort to writing a letter. He returned home […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XXII

Henry James

Summary At his meeting with Mrs. Bread, she tells Newman that the Bellegardes made Madame de Cintre feel wicked. She explains that Madame de Cintre knew nothing wicked about her mother, but that was because she was afraid to know, but Mrs. Bread wants to hear about Valentin. Newman recounts […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XXI

Henry James

Summary Newman walks for a long time after the interview with Madame de Cintre. He cannot yet bring himself to give her up. He still thinks that if mother and son would drop their victim, she would still come back to him. He decides to have one more interview with […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XX

Henry James

Summary Valentin died peacefully and Newman left so as not to see Urbain de Bellegarde. He received a letter from Madame de Cintre and decided to drive down to the country home to attend Valentin’s funeral and later see Madame de Cintre. When he calls upon her, she seems greatly […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XIX

Henry James

Summary Newman immediately catches a train to Switzerland where Valentin lies wounded. When he arrives, he is told that Valentin has already had the last rites of the church, and the doctor in attendance has definitely condemned Valentin. Newman hears how, in the first shot, Valentin intentionally shot to the […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XVIII

Henry James

Summary The next morning, Newman went to call upon Madame de Cintre a bit earlier than usual. He was met by Mrs. Bread who told him that her lady was preparing for a journey and had left a letter for Newman, but she impulsively leads him up to Madame de […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XVII

Henry James

Summary One evening. Newman was attending the opera with a group of his American friends when he perceived Urbain de Bellegarde and his wife in another box. He plans to speak to them when he happens to notice Mademoiselle Noemie in a box somewhat further on. As he is making […]

Summary and Analysis Chapter XVI

Henry James

Summary The next days were the happiest in Newman’s life. He saw Madame de Cintre every day. He also ran into the young Madame de Bellegarde and often had the impression that she wanted to say something to him — particularly something about how unpleasant her husband is. But Newman […]