The American by Henry James, Fiction, Classics

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century American business, the narrative follows Newman, who yearns for a life beyond its stark realities. The story unfolds with a transaction involving Mademoiselle Noemie and her father, M. Nioche, as they navigate the complexities of art and value. Mademoiselle Noemie reveals that Newman has bought her painting for a hefty sum, stirring a mix of excitement and bewilderment in her father. This moment highlights themes of aspiration, the art world, and the tension between ambition and familial duty.