Why is Strether an American? Wouldn't it make more sense for Mrs. Newsome to send someone French or British to get Chad? I am trying to figure out if Strether has to be an American because he ultimately gives up his own dreams to allow Chad to live in Paris...
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The Ambassadors Study Guide
The Ambassadors study guide contains a biography of Henry James, literature essays, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.
Mr. Lambert Strether is from Woollett, Massachusetts and he has come to Europe at the request of his employer, Mrs. Newsome. Mrs. Newsome's son, Chad, has been in Paris for a long time and the Newsomes are worried that Chad will never return home. Strether is to bring Chad back home. Despite the assistance of his old friend, Waymarsh, and his new friend, Maria Gostrey, Strether is unable to fulfill this task. He is Mrs. Newsome's "ambassador," sent to Paris to protect her interests.
Strether arrives in Paris and his trip becomes a return to his own youth. He enjoys spending time with Chad's young friends, Miss Barrace and Little John Bilham. Strether is charmed by the Countess, Madame de Vionnet, a married woman with whom Chad has begun a…
Read the full The Ambassadors Summary
- The Ambassadors Summary
- About The Ambassadors
- Character List
- Major Themes
- Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Books 1-2
- Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Books 3-4
- Summary and Analysis of Volume I, Books 5-6
- Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Books 7-8
- Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Books 9-10
- Summary and Analysis of Volume II, Books 11-12
- Related Links on The Ambassadors
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
- Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
- Author of ClassicNote and Sources
The Ambassadors Essays and Related Content
- The Ambassadors: Major Themes
- The Ambassadors: Essays
- The Ambassadors: E-Text
- The Ambassadors: Questions
- The Ambassadors: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
- Henry James: Biography
