Henry James and the “Aliens”: In Possession of the American Scene

Abstract

This study explores Henry James and the "Aliens" in Possession of the American Scene (2002) by Gert Buelens, which delves into Henry James's seminal travelogue The American Scene (1907). Central to Buelens’s analysis is James’s paradoxical sense of identity within early 20th-century American culture. The book situates The American Scene as a pivotal text in understanding the social and cultural paradigms that shaped America during this period, particularly concerning race, class, and individuality. Drawing on earlier scholarship by Ross Posnock, Kenneth Warren, and Sarah Blair, Buelens offers a nuanced examination of James's critique of American society. Despite his birthplace, James encounters a nation increasingly alien to him, positioning himself alongside marginalized groups like immigrants and African Americans. Through meticulous readings, Buelens elucidates how James’s text subverts dominant cultural narratives, revealing the complexities of national identity and belonging. The work not only contextualizes The American Scene within James's broader corpus but also contributes significantly to ongoing debates in American Studies regarding race, culture, and national self-definition.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)