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 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

• Characteral Development in Henry James' “The Real Thing”
• The Narrator
• The Monarchs
• The Monarchs’ Descent
• The Narrator’s Development
• The Ending

Objectives and Key Themes

This research paper analyzes the process of character development in Henry James’s short story “The Real Thing”, focusing on the changes both the unnamed narrator and the aristocratic couple, Major and Mrs. Monarch, undergo throughout the narrative. The paper explores how the characters’ initial perceptions of themselves and their social roles evolve through their interactions and challenges. The study aims to demonstrate how both the narrator and the Monarchs fail to achieve their intended goals, highlighting the complexity of identity and social positioning in James’s work.

• Character Development: The changes the narrator and the Monarchs undergo throughout the story.
• Social Class and Identity: The impact of social status on the characters’ perceptions and actions.
• Art and Reality: The interplay between the artistic representation of the characters and their actual lives.
• The Nature of Failure: The consequences of the characters’ inability to fulfill their intended roles.
• The Dynamics of Power: The evolving power dynamics between the narrator and the Monarchs.

Chapter Summaries

The first part of the story introduces the unnamed narrator, a struggling artist who hopes to achieve success as a portrait painter. He relies on models to create his art, but he also aspires for greater recognition.

The second part of the story introduces Major and Mrs. Monarch, an aristocratic couple who seek employment as models. The narrator, initially intrigued by their potential, is drawn to their aristocratic background, believing they would add authenticity to his work.

The third part of the story explores the dynamic between the narrator and the Monarchs. The Monarchs' initial sense of superiority and their attempt to maintain their social standing clash with the reality of their situation. The narrator, initially charmed by their aristocratic aura, begins to question their suitability as models.

The fourth part of the story depicts the gradual descent of the Monarchs from their high social status to a lower social level. The narrator witnesses their transformation as they face the realities of their poverty and accept employment that they initially considered beneath them.

The fifth part of the story focuses on the narrator’s own transformation. He becomes increasingly aware of the complexity of his own artistic aspirations and the challenges of capturing the essence of his subjects. The narrator begins to question his own values and the purpose of his art.

Keywords

Key terms and concepts in “The Real Thing” include character development, social class, identity, art and reality, the nature of failure, and the dynamics of power. The story explores the interplay between social status, personal ambition, and artistic expression. Key themes include the challenges of representing reality through art, the impact of social class on identity, and the complexities of human relationships.

Details

• College: University of Freiburg (Englisches Seminar)
• Course: Seminar 19th Century American Short Story
• Grade: 1,7
• Author: Sören Kupke (Author)
• Publication Year: 2004
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V34990
• ISBN (eBook): 9783638350525
• ISBN (Book): 9783656620952
• Language: English
• Tags: Characteral Development Henry James Real Thing Seminar Century American Short Story