The questions of choice and morals in 'The Spoils of Poynton'


Essay, 2006

10 Pages, Grade: 1,0


Abstract or Introduction

Many of the critics writing about The Spoils of Poynton belong to one of two groups: “Either they take Fleda to be the heroine of the story in the traditional sense […] or they have taken her to be neurotic and self-deceiving, pathologically fearful of sex, and contributing more harm than balm to the domestic row between the Gereths” (Lodge. Introduction: 5). Both ways of interpretation actually imply that Fleda is indeed the ‘free spirit’ James intended. This view is particularly clear in the wikipedia article which states that “Fleda Vetch has earned most critics' sympathy for steering the right course through an almost impossible situation” (Wikipedia). The talk of a ‘right course’, however, reveals the author’s belief that Fleda has a choice. In the following, I want to argue that the exact opposite is the case. Fleda’s actions are not based on moral considerations but rather on existential necessities. Her freedom is therefore restricted to the realm of her imagination; all other decisions are dictated by the expectations of society. This is also the one unifying force to which all characters are subject and due to “his own disillusionment with existing English society” (Lyons. Social Vision: 64), James uses the comedy and irony in The Spoils of Poynton as a vessel to convey his social
criticism.

Details

Title
The questions of choice and morals in 'The Spoils of Poynton'
College
University of Freiburg
Course
Henry James in Transition
Grade
1,0
Author
Year
2006
Pages
10
Catalog Number
V86404
ISBN (eBook)
9783638020848
ISBN (Book)
9783638923170
File size
443 KB
Language
English
Keywords
Spoils, Poynton, Henry, James, Transition
Quote paper
Sebastian Kluitmann (Author), 2006, The questions of choice and morals in 'The Spoils of Poynton', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/86404

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