The Bostonians

Brief Overview

The novel «The Bostonians» by Henry James delves into the intricate relationships between three main characters: Basil Ransom, a Southern lawyer, his cousin Olive Chancellor, a women's rights activist, and Verena Tarrant, a young and charismatic speaker. Set in Boston at the end of the 19th century, against the backdrop of the women's rights movement, Olive aims to make Verena a leader of the feminist movement, while Basil, holding conservative views, tries to win her heart and divert her from public activism. The conflict between personal feelings and social ideals becomes the central theme of the novel, exploring questions of love, power, and freedom of choice.