In 1898, James shifted his residence to an eighteenth century house in Sussex. In the following years, he published some of his best works like The Ambassadors, The Wings of Dove and The Golden Bowl. In the words of Barbara Hardy, “The last fifteen years of James’s life were the first years of a new century, in old and new genres of travel, biography and autobiography, but above all in fiction and literary criticism.” These novels show a shift in the style and character study.

In 1904, he undertook a journey to America. He was shocked to observe the changed American scenario. He recorded his feelings in The American Scene. The First World War dejected him further. In 1915, after becoming a naturalized British citizen, he wrote an article for New York Times (Feb.1915) that reflected his despondency.

Henry James wrote till the time of his death. He penned a great variety of books. He wrote a novel called The Wings of Dove, autobiographical writings like A Small Boy and Others, Notes of a Son and Brother and Middle Years and letters like Letters from America. He suffered two strokes but went on writing till he breathed his last on February 28, 1916. James died but left a legacy of literary writings that will be read and remembered for their unique style, psychological depth and character study.

Table of Contents | Printable Version