Henry James’s novella “Daisy Miller” examines the complexities of innocence and societal expectations in 19th-century transatlantic cultural encounters. The story follows Daisy Miller, a young American woman whose behavior challenges European social norms. James uses Daisy’s interactions with European society to highlight differences between American and European values, particularly regarding innocence, propriety, and moral judgment….
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s short story “The Birthmark,” published in 1843, examines the human condition, focusing on the relationship between beauty, imperfection, and the quest for perfection. Set during a period of scientific advancement, the story centers on Aylmer, a brilliant scientist, and his wife Georgiana, who has a small, hand-shaped birthmark on her cheek. This birthmark…
Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart” is a seminal work of Gothic literature that explores themes of madness, guilt, and the human psyche. Published in 1843, this short story has endured as a classic, renowned for its psychological depth and narrative complexity. The story is narrated by an unnamed protagonist who claims sanity while describing…