Howells does not always have a plot, that is, a beginning, a climax, and a
solution of all the questions suggested. He has, of course, a story, but he
does not find it necessary to present the entire life of his characters, if
he can accurately portray them by one or more incidents. After that purpose
is accomplished, the story often ceases before the reader feels that a real
ending has been reached.
Howells rarely startles or thrills; he usually both interests and convinces
his readers by a straightforward presentation of everyday, well-known
scenes and people. The strongest point in his art is the easy, natural way
in which he seems to be retailing faithfully the facts exactly as they
happened, without any juggling or rearranging on his part. His characters
are so clearly presented that they do not remain in dreary outline, but
emerge fully in rounded form, as moving, speaking, feeling beings. His keen
insight into human frailties, his delicate, pervading humor, his skill in
handling conversations, and his delightfully clear, easy, natural, and
familiar style make him a realist of high rank and a worthy teacher of
young writers.
HENRY JAMES, 1843-1916
[Illustration: HENRY JAMES]
The name most closely associated with Howells is that of Henry James, who
was born in New York.
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