An International Episode

Henry James acquaints his readers to his bi-national world of love and nostalgia in An International Episode. The books principal concern, as in most of his novels, is the cultural distinctions and interactions between the New and Old Worlds. Two British gentlemen travel to the United States and meet two stunning American women, who later return the favour in London. Aside from the romantic aspect of the story, the narrative centers around cultural and social misunderstandings, faux pas, and false friends, making the work resemble a comedy of manners. In this book, James is clearly seen highlighting the contrast between the hospitality of Americans towards Europeans and the unfriendly nature with which upper class English men treat Americans. The inclusion of characters such as Willy Woodley, Mr. Westgate, and even Captain Littledale, who are introduced into the narrative as people of significance - only to vanish, having made very little contribution to the story, exemplifies the constructional uncertainties. They act as cyphers whose sole purpose is to transport the story from one point to another. Thus, the story does not hold as cohesively and does not have much sense of thematic density.