Antiquated style and ideas in The Bostonians

Not sure how Henry James’ The Bostonians made it on the list of “must read 20th century novels.” For one, it was published in 1886, but since James’ life bridged the century marker, that can be forgiven. James actually has several books on this list, some before and some during the 20th century. I hope the others are better than this one, because for two, this novel isn’t very good.

There is no doubt James is a literary master, but this book is a let down both from the plot and the questionable material. Taking place in the late 19th century, the main characters are Olive, Verena, and Basil. Olive is a staunch feminist, fighting for women’s rights. Basil is on the opposite side. He has come to the north from his home in Mississippi, basically penniless from family losses in the Civil War, and he scoffs at Olive and her friends. Verena is a gifted speaker who has taken up the plot of women, and is able to move people with her words to seemingly whatever cause she backs.

Olive latches on to Verena immediately. Verena moves in with Olive, who pushes her to do more for the cause. Though James never labels Olive a lesbian (much too taboo a point in that day), he does involve every stereotype in defining Olive’s demeanor. Verena gains fame in the local Boston community slowly over time, with Olive introducing her to society and making sure she makes the right connections. On the side, Verena meets with Basil from time to time, eventually falling for him, just as Basil has intended from the beginning. It is then that Basil comes forth with his true ideas, that more than just indifferent to women, he is of the idea that they should remain subservient to men. He wants Verena to leave Olive and her cause, and basically become his trophy wife, to only use her gift of speech to entertain him and his guests. Incredulously, Verena thinks this is a wonderful idea. Just as she is about to give her greatest speech for women, in front of the biggest New York crowd of important society, she leaves to run away with Basil.

James obviously thought little of women’s rights. This is more than just a novel but is very political, and his ideas are almost barbaric to read. Basil is a colorful, layered character, but all the women in the book are one dimensional, with no deep thoughts of their own. Yes, Olive is using Verena to her own ends (though she does obviously care for her too), but she is always very single minded. Basil just wants to marry Verena to keep her from the movement, and admits to the reader he doesn’t really care for her like she does for him. A hard book to stomach.