Early Twentieth-Century Fiction
English 358:358, Fall 2022
This act, and something in the movement of either party, instantly characterised the performers—they performed for Dencombe’s recreation—as opulent matron and humble dependent.
Henry James, “The Middle Years,” from Henry James: Complete Stories 1892-1898, (Library of America, 1996), 336.
“Doctor Hugh employed the common phrase about earning one’s rest, and it made poor Dencombe, for an instant, almost angry.”
Henry James, “The Middle Years.” Henry James: Complete Stories 1892-1898, ed. John Hollander and David Bromwich (New York: The Library of America, 1996), 347
Even though he enjoys Hugh’s company, and his praise, and even if he knows that this was all he could achieve in one lifetime, it still affects him differently when it comes out of another person’s mouth.
“He should never again, as at one or two great moments of the past, be better than himself.”
Henry James, “The Middle Years.” Henry James: Complete Stories 1892-1898, ed John Hollander and David Bromwich (New York: The Library of America, 1996), 335
Dencombe has denoted his own limitation of his own abilities from the very start, no longer believing in himself compared to his past self.
“This was the pang that had been sharpest during the last few years—the sense of ebbing time, of shrinking opportunity; and now he felt not so much that his last chance was going as that it was gone indeed.”
Henry James, “The Middle Years.” Henry James: Complete Stories 1892-1898, ed. John Hollander and David Bromwich (New York: The Library of America, 1996), 337.
Dencombe can be seen reflecting on his life within this passage. He seems to feel that his life has hit its peak and is now declining. Does he feel hopeless or is he just becoming more aware of his situation?