Henry James & the Great "Anglo-American" Novel with Prof. Joseph Luzzi

 

Winterhalter, Queen Victoria   We like to talk about the "Great American Novel": that one work which can somehow magically capture the essence of a nation as rich in different cultural, historical, political, and social traditions as the United States. But what about the Great "Anglo-American" Novel: the literary text that speaks to the dramatic relations between these two countries and how they have shaped one another over these past few centuries? I think that's where Henry James comes in. Though he was American-born, James spent much of his life in Europe, especially England, and throughout his career his work probed the tension between the "old" European world and the "new" American society that was born from it, yet which also struggled to define itself against that very provenance. In James's magnificent The Portrait of a Lady from 1881, we see this dialogue between "American" and "English" or "British" identity at many points, including in this description of Ralph Touchett, who, like James, was born in American but whose adult sensibilities, so to speak, were formed in England:   [Ralph Touchett] had been a very small boy when his father, Daniel Tracy Touchett, a native of Rutland, in the State of Vermont, came to England as subordinate partner in a banking-house where some ten years later he gained preponderant control. Daniel Touchett saw before him a life-long residence in his adopted country, of which, from the first, he took a simple, sane and accommodating view. But, as he said to himself, he had no intention of disamericanising, nor had he a desire to teach his only son any such subtle art. It had been for himself so very soluble a problem to live in England assimilated yet unconverted that it seemed to him equally simple his lawful heir should after his death carry on the grey old bank in the white American light. He was at pains to intensify this light, however, by sending the boy home for his education. Ralph spent several terms at an American school and took a degree at an American university, after which, as he struck his father on his return as even redundantly native, he was placed for some three years in residence at Oxford. Oxford swallowed up Harvard, and Ralph became at last English enough.   As we see in the above passage and its use of striking verbs like disamericansing, the dialogue between nations stands at the core of Ralph's personality and worldview. It's no wonder that, in a letter to Charles Eliot Norton from 1872, James once wrote:   It's a complex fate, being an American, and one of the responsibilities it entails is fighting against a superstitious valuation of Europe.   James's prodigious gifts as a novelist encompassed the ability to see how our national background and its traditions can shape the kind of person we become, in ways we may not even be conscious of. This is just of the many reasons why The Portrait of a Lady remains one of the most powerful works in the American literary tradition – and a candidate for that rare, hybrid title, the Great Anglo-American Novel ...   I hope you will join me today as we begin our exploration of issues like the above and much more in our upcoming Henry James Seminar: THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY – learn more below & register here.         Thrilled to announce... The Henry James Seminar: THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY with Professor JOSEPH LUZZI   Discover what makes James's work essential reading today, even though it was written 150 years ago!   Benefits include:   * Explore the narrative brilliance of James's innovative prose   * Study in a small group with Prof. Luzzi, an internationally acclaimed scholar, Professor of Literature at Bard & winner of Yale Teaching Prize   * Discover why Henry James is considered one of the greatest writers in all of American literature, and how his work has changed the novel as we know it   * Unlock the mysteries of James's writing and discover the richness of his culture, history, and world   3 ONLINE SESSIONS: Wednesdays 6pm–7:30pm Eastern Time September 4, 11, 18 F.A.Q.s & more info below     Kramskoy, Portrait of Unknown Woman   Henry James, by John Singer Sargent       Brady's photo of Henry James, age 11, with his father   REGISTER NOW         John Singer Sargent, sketch of Henry James   Frequently Asked Questions   What is the The Henry James Seminar: THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY and what does it do? Professor Luzzi's Henry James Seminar: THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY will bring you inside one of the world's greatest literary works, with fresh insights into James's power of storytelling and linguistic inventiveness that can inspire our everyday lives.   How do I join? Just click "Register Now" and you'll be guided through the quick & easy steps. Remember, space is limited, so if you're interested join now.   When does it meet? All meetings are on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7:30pm Eastern Time, on the following dates:   • September 4th: First Session, James, Portrait of a Lady chapters 1–19 • September 11th: Second Session, James, Portrait of a Lady chapters 20–38 • September 18th: Third Session, James, Portrait of a Lady chapters 39–55   What if I can't make it to one or more of the live classes? No problem at all...I will record a Video of each class, so you can view it if you can't make it to the live session. You can also watch the Video even if you did attend the live seminar and just want to go back and review the main issues discussed. The Video will be available to you for up to a full year after the class.   What is the format of the Henry James Seminar? Highly interactive! Imagine your favorite college class, with students going back and forth with the professor, exchanging ideas and engaged in lively debate. That's our model. I want to hear your ideas while I explain Henry James and help you understand his work.   Do I need prior knowledge of Henry James to participate? Absolutely not. I will assume no prior knowledge or study of James. If you have read or studied him before, great, that will be a wonderful addition to our course. If not, no worries, I will explain all elements and aspects of Henry James as they arise in class to help you with this first encounter.   What edition should I use? Whichever one you like! There will be no "standard" version because I know that many of you already have a favorite or "go to" volume that you've been reading. I will be using the Penguin edition of the novel. You may wish to use this one but, again, the choice is yours. The book is available for purchase at my Virtual Book Club page at Bookshop.org, under "VBC Books of Interest."   How long will each session last? 90 minutes – the ideal length for a college seminar!   Will there be "homework"? Not really. Before each class, I'll assign the reading that we'll cover; but don't feel obliged to do the reading if you don't want to or don't have the time. I will assume that not everyone has done the reading, so you will still learn a lot and be able to join the conversation even if you have not completed all the "homework."   What's the format? The event will be through Zoom. You don't need an account. Once you register for the class, you will be sent a link to each session – all you need is that and an Internet connection to join.   Will I need special equipment to participate in the class? No, just a computer/screen.   What do you mean by an "interactive" Seminar? Well, that means that during Professor Luzzi's sessions, he'll open up the conversation to all participants to get their perspectives.   What does the course cost? $179 for the entire Seminar, which includes all three sessions as well as all the material, such as the Study Guides & Videos, that will be part of the Seminar.   What is the refund/cancellation policy? If you register but decide to cancel by September 1, 2024, you will get a full refund. If you cancel after September 1 and before the first day of class, September 4, you will get half back. Unfortunately, after September 4, I can't offer any refund because space in the course is limited and I need to close registration once the course starts (or reaches capacity).   How can I contact you with questions or problems? You can email Joseph Luzzi at josephluzzivbc@gmail.com.   Don’t miss out on this chance to study one of the all-time great literary works!   CONTACT ME