In the short story “The Real Thing”, written in 1884 by Henry James, the author tells the story about an aristocratic couple coming to an artist’s studio in search for employment as models. Even though the artist, who is the narrating protagonist and remains unnamed, has no particular need for them as models, he decides to give them a try and draws them for an important project he is working on, a project which might be his chance to achieve great fame and fortune. During the following drawing sessions, it slowly becomes apparent that both the narrator a nd the Monarchs, his impoverished but still upper-class models, fail at their tasks: The artist seems to be unable to paint them as successfully as he normally draws his regular models, and they appear to be rather inflexible in terms of changing into the roles they are supposed to represent. However, both parties undergo a process of change during the course of the story, which takes them from being prototypes, a typical painter and a typical aristocratic couple, to being characters. In this research paper, I will show the changes each of them undergoes, and the way they both fail at their tasks.
Before the narrator starts a professional and later a more personal relationship with the Monarchs, he characterizes himself as a typical painter of portraits with daily struggles and ambitions for the future.
Early in the first part, he summarizes his work as follows: “[…] I worked in black-and-white, for magazines, for storybooks, […] and consequently had copious employment for models”, which is also the reason why his friend Rivet, critic and painter of landscape, had referred the impoverished aristocratic couple to him. The narrator’s plans for the future, however, are higher than that: “[…] I couldn’t get the honours […] of a great painter of portraits out of my head. My ‘illustrations’ were my pot-boilers; I looked to a different branch of art […] to perpetuate my fame.” In the beginning of the second part, we learn of one of the narrator’s stepping-stones towards his envisioned career: He tells the reader about his current project of illustrating a deluxe edition of the much-acclaimed book “Rutland Ramsay”, “but […] my participation in the rest of the affair - this first book was to be a test - must depend on the satisfaction I should give. […] It was therefore a crisis for me”.
Table of Contents
1. Characteral Development in Henry James’ “The Real Thing”
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the process of character development in Henry James’ short story “The Real Thing,” focusing on the shifting social dynamics between an unnamed narrator and the impoverished aristocratic couple, the Monarchs. The central research question explores how both the artist and the models experience failure in their respective roles and how this failure leads to an ironic reversal of their social positions and self-perceptions.
- The irony of social status versus artistic utility
- The process of social descent of the Monarchs
- The artistic failure and lack of insight of the narrator
- The "alchemy of art" and the role of the creator
Excerpt from the Book
Characteral Development in Henry James’ “The Real Thing”
In the short story “The Real Thing”, written in 1884 by Henry James, the author tells the story about an aristocratic couple coming to an artist’s studio in search for employment as models. Even though the artist, who is the narrating protagonist and remains unnamed, has no particular need for them as models, he decides to give them a try and draws them for an important project he is working on, a project which might be his chance to achieve great fame and fortune. During the following drawing sessions, it slowly becomes apparent that both the narrator and the Monarchs, his impoverished but still upper-class models, fail at their tasks: The artist seems to be unable to paint them as successfully as he normally draws his regular models, and they appear to be rather inflexible in terms of changing into the roles they are supposed to represent. However, both parties undergo a process of change during the course of the story, which takes them from being prototypes, a typical painter and a typical aristocratic couple, to being characters. In this research paper, I will show the changes each of them undergoes, and the way they both fail at their tasks.
Summary of Chapters
1. Characteral Development in Henry James’ “The Real Thing”: This chapter analyzes the initial characterization of the struggling narrator and the aristocratic Monarchs, exploring how their mutual failure to adapt to each other’s expectations triggers a slow process of social and personal transformation.
Keywords
Henry James, The Real Thing, Character Development, Social Descent, Narrator, Artistic Failure, Irony, Aristocracy, Models, Narrative Irony, Social Status, Professionalism, Art, Perception, Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the character development of the protagonist and the Monarchs in Henry James' short story, analyzing how their interaction leads to an ironic subversion of their established social and professional identities.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The text explores themes of social hierarchy, the nature of artistic representation, the tension between social "types" and individuals, and the failure of the artist to utilize the "real" aristocratic couple effectively.
What is the core objective of the research?
The core objective is to demonstrate that both the narrator and the Monarchs undergo a significant transformation through their failures, ultimately showing that none of them truly embody the concept of "The Real Thing."
Which scientific method is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis method, interpreting the primary text through close reading and secondary critical insights, specifically referencing David Toor’s analysis of narrative irony.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers the initial characterization of the painter and the Monarchs, the three phases of the Monarchs' social descent, and the narrator's inability to recognize his own artistic flaws compared to his professional models.
Which keywords characterize this study?
Key terms include Henry James, The Real Thing, social descent, character development, narrative irony, and artistic failure.
How does the social status of the Monarchs influence their role in the studio?
Their high-class background initially makes them "The Real Thing" in terms of identity, but this status makes them rigid and inflexible as models, which directly contradicts the requirements of the narrator's artistic work.
Why does the narrator fail to grow from the experience?
Unlike the Monarchs, who eventually accept their new reality and social descent, the narrator remains blind to his own shortcomings, viewing the departure of the Monarchs as a simple solution rather than a reflection of his own artistic limitations.
- Quote paper
- Sören Kupke (Author), 2004, Characteral Development in Henry James' 'The Real Thing', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/34990
