henry james and the beast in t

The “Beast in the Jungle” is a story that expresses tragic irony and great loss. Henry James commences his story by introducing two characters: John Marcher and May Bartram. The two meet at a mansion, after a ten-year separation. The mansion is filled with decadent art, antiques, and other priceless objects. John notices May initially, and he instantly senses a deep but misplace connection towards her. They finally engage in conversation and right away May …

…our feelings, we become empty and sad individuals. Because John was living in constant fear, he never allowed himself to live and to love. When he realizes that May was the greatest thing he ever had, and never told her so, John regrets his mistakes. I assume James' is trying to tell us that expressing and taking a chance is necessary, for a life of regret is the most painful but yet the preventable outcome.