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This style is in stark contrast to the writing style of Mark Twain, despite the fact that both authors are examining the broader aspects of life through their individual characters.
Twain and James also differ in the level of emotionality that is attached to their work. Twain writes with a vibrant passion, seeing the world through the lenses of his wide-eyed protagonists. There is a clear emotional connection between Twain and his characters, and the stories that he is telling. James, on the other hand, seems rather detached from his stories and his characters, almost as if he is viewing them from a distance. His description of Daisy's death is completely detached, as is the dialogue between the characters themselves. For example, even when Mrs. Costello is gossiping about the relationship between the Millers and Eugenio, she seems very reserved and staid -- not...
I shouldn't wonder if he dines with them. Very likely they have never seen a man with such good manners, such fine clothes, so like a gentleman. He probably corresponds to the young lady's idea of a count. He sits with them in the garden in the evening. I think he smokes. (James 328)
James' version of gossip comes off almost like a nightly news report -- just a list of facts and speculations, with no real emotion or variance in tone. While one could argue that James is merely trying to portray the staidness of European culture, his style remains committed to this detached state throughout most of his writing. Mark Twain, on the other hand, is clearly much more emotionally invested in his stories and characters. This is not to say that one author is better than the other; it is merely to say they while wry commentary may be their common goal, these authors approach their writing from entirely different angles.
Works Cited
James, Henry, "Daisy Miller" In Nina Baym, ed. The Norton Anthology: American Literature. (Shorter Seventh Edition; Volume 1) pp. 319-356
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Forgotten Books, 1925
Works Cited
James, Henry, "Daisy Miller" In Nina Baym, ed. The Norton Anthology: American Literature. (Shorter Seventh Edition; Volume 1) pp. 319-356
Twain, Mark. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Forgotten Books, 1925
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