Quote by Henry James, essay The Art of Fi
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?
Summary
This quote challenges the traditional distinction between the novel of character and the novel of incident. The author believes that this distinction is outdated and lacks relevance. They argue that there are only good and bad novels, just as there are good and bad pictures, and that character and incident are interconnected. They question the idea of a "novel of character" or a "picture of character" because both forms of art inherently involve the depiction and exploration of human character through incidents and events. Ultimately, the author suggests that character and incident are inseparable and essential elements of any meaningful novel or picture.
Topics
Authors & Writing
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