초록 열기/닫기 버튼
This is to trace The American’s hero, Christopher Newman’s pragmatic approaches to life. The fact that William James’ philosophy of pragmatism and Henry James’ work have distinct similarities makes this kind of approach worthwhile. Henry James’ earlier novels usually highlight action more than introspection. But James’ characters do reflect William James’ philosophy because they are products of their own experience. Christopher Newman, the protagonist of The American, plays a role defined by Henry James’ perception of the typical American. James’ protagonist is not interested in finding out the only truth, or permanent set of truths behind European society. He is instead only interested in what things are like and what he can see and experience from the things which is new to him. William James’ philosophy is permeated in this book in the reality of its free character, Newman, who does not fall back on tradition or socially constructed truth.
