Environment: A Crucial Motif in Henry James’ International Novels

The American, The Europeans, Daisy Miller and The Portrait of a Lady are four representative novels of international theme by Henry James. To ensure the successful proceeding of the international theme, James employs a common crucial motif—environment in the four novels. The motif is, in essence, one of the important narrating arts James invents. James’ use of it is not only out of the structural consideration to carry out the narration effectively, for instance, to strengthen the theme, to foster the character portrayal, to increase the dramatic conflicts so as to drive the narrative to the climax, but also based on a philosophical concern with aesthetics and humanity