Aesthetic Persuasion: Henry James, the Jews, and Race

This book offers a multi-disciplinary approach to Jewish imagery in the writings of Henry James. To date, it is the first and only full-length book devoted entirely to a consideration of the ethnic, especially Jewish, matter in the work of Henry James. The book's central concern is to show that James presented a particular aesthetic perception of the Jews. The author does this by tracing James's ideas about Jews in childhood impressions, in personal and intellectual contacts and in notions presented in his writings. This highly analytical and insightful study will appeal to a broad audience, from literary and intellectual historians concerned with anti-Semitism and racism, to courses on anti-Semitism and racism in departments of history and English or, more broadly, social studies and humanities. Contents: Preface; Acknowledgements; Introduction; Chapter 1: Impressionable Years; Chapter 2: Imaginary Jews; Chapter 3: Jews Real and Imagined; Chapter 4: A Peek at Obsession; Chapter 5: The Best His Tales Could Tell; Chapter 6: The Diffident Democrat; Chapter 7: Jews in the Master's Mind; Chapter 8: Return of the Native; Chapter 9: Final Observations; Notes; Bibliography; Index.