Themes

• Cultural clash between American and European values
• Personal growth and self-discovery
• Duty versus personal desire
• The power of perception and preconceived notions
• The complexities of human relationships
• The nature of morality and social conventions
• The pursuit of life experiences and personal fulfillment

Setting

Set in the early 20th century, The Ambassadors unfolds primarily in Paris, France, with brief mentions of Woollett, Massachusetts. The novel captures the stark contrast between American and European sensibilities during this era, as the protagonist, Lambert Strether, navigates the sophisticated Parisian society. More than just a backdrop, Paris symbolizes the allure and complexity of European culture. The city's grand boulevards, elegant cafés, and rich artistic heritage provide a vivid setting that deeply influences the characters' experiences and transformations.

While the majority of the action takes place in Paris, the novel also references other European locations, such as Chester, England, and the French countryside. These varied settings help illustrate the broader cultural differences between the Old World and the New, emphasizing the theme of an American abroad confronting unfamiliar social norms and values.

Characters

• Lambert Strether: The protagonist, a cultured man in his fifties from Woollett, Massachusetts. Sent to Paris as an “ambassador” to retrieve Chad Newsome, Strether undergoes a profound transformation as he becomes enchanted by European culture. His evolving perspective forms the heart of the novel, as he grapples with duty, personal growth, and the complexities of human relationships. Strether's journey represents a late-life awakening to new possibilities and ways of seeing the world.
• Chad Newsome: The son of Mrs. Newsome, whom Strether is tasked with bringing back to America. Initially portrayed as wayward, Chad surprises Strether with his newfound sophistication and refinement. His relationship with Madame de Vionnet becomes a central mystery and source of conflict in the novel.
• Maria Gostrey: An American expatriate living in Paris who becomes Strether's confidante and guide to European society. Maria offers valuable insights and serves as a sounding board for Strether's evolving thoughts and feelings throughout the novel.
• Madame de Vionnet: A charming and cultured Parisian woman who is closely associated with Chad. Her true relationship with Chad becomes a source of intrigue and moral dilemma for Strether as the story unfolds.
• Mrs. Newsome: Chad's mother and Strether's fiancée, who remains offstage in America. Her unseen but powerful presence drives much of the plot, as her expectations and judgments loom over Strether's mission.
• Sarah Pocock: Mrs. Newsome's daughter, who is sent to Paris as a second “ambassador” when Strether fails to quickly accomplish his mission. Sarah represents a more rigid, traditional American viewpoint in contrast to Strether's evolving perspective.
• Little Bilham: A young American artist in Paris and friend of Chad. He serves as a source of information for Strether and contributes to his changing view of Chad's situation.
• Waymarsh: Strether's American friend, who accompanies him to Europe but remains largely resistant to its charms. He represents the more conventional American attitude that Strether gradually rejects.

Quick facts

• Henry James considered The Ambassadors to be his best novel.
• The idea for the novel came from James's friend, novelist William Dean Howells, who had a similar experience visiting his son in Paris.
• The Ambassadors was originally published as a serial in the North American Review.
• The novel is told entirely from the protagonist Strether's point of view.
• James had difficulties with the publishing process, resulting in textual variations between different editions.
• There has been controversy over the correct chapter order, particularly for chapters 28 and 29.
• The exact nature of the “little nameless object” manufactured in Woollett remains a literary mystery.
• In 1998, the Modern Library ranked The Ambassadors 27th on its list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
• The novel inspired Patricia Highsmith's The Talented Mr. Ripley, which has a similar premise.
• A musical theatre adaptation titled Ambassador was produced in London and on Broadway in the early 1970s, though it was unsuccessful.
• In 1977, the BBC adapted the novel for television, featuring Paul Scofield as Strether and Lee Remick as Maria Gostrey, as part of its “Play of the Month” series.

About the author

Henry James (1843-1916) was an American-born author who became a key transitional figure between literary realism and modernism. Born into an intellectual family, James was the son of philosopher Henry James Sr. and brother to psychologist William James. Though he began his career in the United States, James spent much of his adult life in Europe, eventually becoming a British citizen in 1915.

James is best known for his psychologically astute novels exploring the clash between American and European cultures, such as The Portrait of a Lady, The Wings of the Dove, and The Ambassadors. His writing style evolved over his career, becoming increasingly complex and experimental in his later works. Known for its ambiguous ghost story, James's novella The Turn of the Screw remains one of his most analyzed and adapted works.

Beyond fiction, James was an accomplished literary critic and travel writer. He produced a large body of nonfiction work, including critical essays, travelogues of his experiences in Europe and America, and autobiographical writings. He was also a prolific letter writer, with more than 10,000 of his personal letters surviving today. James’s psychological realism, masterful character development, and pioneering use of point of view techniques have secured his place in the literary canon. His works continue to be widely read, studied, and adapted for stage and screen.