The representation of Henry James' International theme: The Wings of the Dove

This thesis analyzes one of Henry James's latest novels entitled The Wings of the Dove (1902). Through the symbols and the onomatological characterisation of the novel I attempt to prove that this masterpiece is a representation of Henry James' international theme dealing with the opposition between the corrupt Old World (England) and the independent, innocent New World (America). A special emphasis is laid on the symbols and names that express the above mentioned opposition (for instance the dove, the eagle, London and New York, Mildred, Lionel), however, due to the complexity of the symbols their Biblical references cannot be ignored. This proves that James was not only able to show the social problems of his era but apply the traditional (Biblical) approaches as well.