From Tradition To Modernity

This thesis researches into the transtition between the tradition and modernith, and the epochal character appeared in Henry James' works.19^th century is an important and complicated era. Henry James who was born in 19^th century possesses the characteristics of the times naturally. The times, Henry James and his works syncretize together ingeniously.This thesis will do more researches in three aspects. Firstly, Henry James was a cosmopolitan, because he traveled between America and Europe. The views he saw in America and Europe impressed Henry James deeply. He made use of what he saw and heard in his journeys as raw material for his books of travel. By the way, Henry James tried to find a definite position for American, and did some thinking about commercial culture and value.Based on the first aspect, this thesis will make further research on the parlor in Henry James' novel. Parlor is a part of one house. But as a special part, parlor can be regard as the extension of external public space. In Henry James' novel, although parlor still keeps the tradition culture of European salon in a certain degree, Henry James gives parlor modern meaning.However, parlor is not simply a space for the entertainment of visitors. Henry James emphasized the sense of space strongly in his novel, and then connected the space with power. Finally, this thesis will concentrate on city by expanding the space of parlor. In this way, the times, view appeared in Henry James' novel, and modernity has a direct connection.