Henry James: Master Portrayer of the American Character Thesis: Henry James is considered by most critics the originator of the international theme and a masterful portrayer of the American character. Henry James developed a skill of foreign languages and an awareness of Europe rare among Americans in his time. Constantly moving between different parts of Europe and the U.S. had a major effect on James and his novels: it became the major theme of …showed first 75 words of 1170 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1170 total…theme of works. His ability of portraying the American character in such detail could possibly be from his childhood observations and educational experiences, when he traveled back and forth from the United States to Europe. This possibly could have helped him develop his abilities in portraying the American character, but it seems as though it was just a God given talent in which Henry James, the masterful portrayer of the American character, was blessed with.