Summary When Newman told Mrs. Tristram of his failure to see Madame de Cintre, she advised him to carry out his plan to “see Europe.” He then began a long tour of Europe seeing the churches, monuments, pictures and other treasures of the continent. In Holland, he met a young […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter VSummary and Analysis Chapter IV
Summary Sometime later, Monsieur Nioche brings Christopher Newman the painting which is now completed and framed. Newman seems quite satisfied with the finished product. M. Nioche begins to complain of the difficulties of having an attractive daughter. Newman suggests that she get married, but M. Nioche explains that he doesn’t […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter IVSummary and Analysis Chapter III
Summary On the next day, Tristram took Newman home to meet Mrs. Tristram. Newman was fond of the company of women and welcomed the opportunity. Mrs. Tristram had a “marked tendency to irony.” She had a very plain face, and had decided years ago to attempt to develop a great […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter IIISummary and Analysis Chapter II
Summary Having bought his first picture, Newman felt a sense of difference and accomplishment. He then began to look around for another picture to buy, even though he knew he had paid too much for the first one. Then he noticed a man who looked familiar, and went over to […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter IISummary and Analysis Chapter I
Summary On a day in May 1868, Christopher Newman was observing a young lady in the Louvre Museum making a copy of a famous painting. He was the type of American who often admired the copy as much as the original. He appeared to be perfectly relaxed and was, at […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Chapter ICharacter List
Christopher Newman A rich, thirty-five year old American who goes to Europe in search of culture and in hopes of finding a suitable wife. Madame de Bellegarde A proud and haughty member of the aristocracy. She is the person most opposed to Christopher Newman’s marriage to Claire de Cintre. Urbain […]
Read more Character ListAbout The American
The Realism of Henry James Henry James has had a tremendous influence on the development of the novel. Part of this influence has been through the type of realism that he employs. At the same time, the most frequent criticism against James has been that he is not realistic enough. […]
Read more About The AmericanBook Summary
Upon his arrival in Europe, Christopher Newman begins to visit the various art galleries. In Paris, he meets, in the Louvre, a young girl who is making a copy of a great master. He prefers the copy to the original and offers to buy it. The young girl, Mademoiselle Noemie […]
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