Reflection On The Cultures Of Europe And America In Henry James’s Travel Writings

Henry James is a world-wide traveler. His rich experience of travelling-the situation of always being’on the road’-greatly influenced his writing psychology, making him a writer with wider’global perspective’and thinking mode. It is difficult to detect an immediate association between James’s novels and his travelling experience when we first read the works; however, it is the roaming between Europe and America, the travelling between the two continents that expands James’writing career and facilitates the inception of his international theme. James’s travel writings truthfully record his thinking and doing in the alien lands. The study of his travel writings can help better understand the writer’s personal experiences and character. Moreover, this study also helps to investigate the writer’s observation and meditation on the different cultures of Europe and America. After experiencing the pale and barren American culture, James found the rich European history and culture irresistibly appealing; but the cultural diversity and vigor in America overshadow the rigid and conservative Europe. In James’s travel writings, the European culture can be viewed as the’other’, which helps him understand his native culture in depth and weigh the two cultures in terms of difference and similarity, and advantages and disadvantages. When exploring in different countries, James gradually wakes up from the European enchantment. In his pursuit of’self, James does not assume his culture as superior to any other cultures, and tries to integrate the cultures of both sides of Atlantic in order to experiment on an high culture.The introduction of this dissertation centers on James’s travelling experiences and his writings of the travelogues. After the literary review of James’s travel writings both at home and abroad, the purpose and value of this study are put forward.This dissertation, based on close reading, explores James’reflection on the cultures of Europe and America through analyzing his three travel writings:English Hours, A Little Tour in France and American Scene. The body of this study falls into three parts. Chapter1explores James’critical perspective on the English culture in English Hours. In his travel in England, James approves the stability and elegance of European tradition; but he also reflects on the aristocratic rigidity which hampers social development. Meanwhile, being in the modern industrialized country like England, James is inspired by the modern experiences represented by the fast-advancing technology and quick-changing cities. The end of this chapter investigates James’understanding of modernity and its influence exerted on his writing by looking at his depiction on cityscapes and his sense of estrangement due to the long-year wandering life. Chapter2expounds James’observation and thinking on French woman, society and history in A Little Tour in France. James’ attitude towards woman is influenced by the development of the feminist movement in France. Therefore, the image of new woman can be found in many of his novels. The unique ethos of France hence helps the traveler understand his own culture. Chapter3analyses James’ consideration on American democracy. The economic development results in the shift of the traditional American individualism to egoism. James expresses his grave concern over the values confusion caused by the omnipresence of commercial competition and plunder in the country. After examining the interaction between the two different cultures, James proposes to construct a high culture based on the integration of both European and American cultures.The conclusion part concludes the dissertation by proposing that James’s travel writings are both the extension and development of traditional travel writings and an organic part of the author’s literary oeuvre. James’ travelling experiences can be viewed as a consistent comparison between the cultures of Europe and America. This reflection on different cultures, in turn, furthers James’ understanding of ’self’. Therefore, the study of James’ travel writings can help us comprehend his literary writings as well as his idea of constructing high culture.