Significance of Character Names in The American

A literary technique that authors often times employ is giving to the characters a name to enhance the reader’s understanding of that character. In The American, Henry James uses this style with most of his characters’ names. Often times, the names may translate into an English word, or it could even just sound like an English word. The novel is better understood because of this and the reader can get more meaning out of …

…likeable character. Henry James’ use of symbolic character names enhances the reader’s understanding of The American. The reader can better relate to the characters when he is given a name that sets out a basis for the characters’ personalities. He knows what to expect from each character and the presence of the author is made clearer when these symbolic names are given. Its readers better comprehend a novel when this literary technique is used.