Questions About The Ambassadors

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Answered Questions (1)

Do you have to be in some special way mentally deficient to appreciate Henry James? Or is it something faux-intellectuals pretend to understand, like Jazz? Perhaps these books only exist for failed writers who become English professors to sadistically torture their students?

Hugh Mosher I decided to tackle this one and like you I keep wondering what is wrong with me. I am lost most of the time. I do not quit on books but I am close to…moreI decided to tackle this one and like you I keep wondering what is wrong with me. I am lost most of the time. I do not quit on books but I am close to slamming this one. The only thing more mind bending than the Ambassadors is his preface in the addition I have from the library. That should have been my clue to return it right away. (less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

""Do you think anyone would be too old for him? I'm eighty, and I'm too young. But perhaps the girl..." he continued "isn't twenty..."" p. 121 (end of the fourth book) Q1: Why does Strether say "I am 80"? I suppose he does not mean 80 years old. Q2: Why does Strether say "I'm too young"? I suppose he does not mean that he is too young for Chad to take as a wife(!).

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