Henry James, essay The Art of Fi Quotes

A collection of quotes by Henry James, essay The Art of Fi.

Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-British writer renowned for his contributions to the field of literature. His works, including novels like "The Wings of the Dove" and "The Portrait of a Lady," showcased his mastery of psychological realism and intricate character development. In addition to his fiction, James was a prolific essayist, and his essay "The Art of Fiction" remains a seminal piece exploring the craft of storytelling. James's writing explored themes of morality, class, and the complexities of human relationships, solidifying his status as one of the foremost figures in 19th-century literature.

There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of c

There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of character and the novel of incident, which must have cost many a smile to the intending romancer who was keen about his work. It appears to me as little to the point as the equally celebrated distinction between the novel and the romance- to answer as little to any reality. There are bad novels and good novels, as there are bad pictures and good pictures; but that is the only distinction in which I see any meaning, and I can as little imagine speaking of a novel of character as I can imagine speaking of a picture of character. When one says picture, one says of character, when one says novel, one says of incident, and the terms may be transposed. What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character? What is a picture or a novel that is not of character? What else do we seek in it and find in it?

Henry James, essay The Art of Fi

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