by Moe Zilla

Created on: January 30, 2009   Last Updated: May 20, 2009

Henry James was nearly 60 when he wrote "Wings of the Dove" - which may explain why it deals with death. Milly Theale has a serious disease, and her wealth (and impending death) make her the subject of much interest. James describes the character affectionately, and once said that he'd based Milly on his real-life cousin Minny, who had died young of tuberculosis. "I can scarce remember the time when the situation on which this long-drawn fiction mainly rests was not vividly present to me," James writes in a preface. But the book spends equal time on a pair of lovers who want to get married - but don't have enough money.

Kate Croy and Merton Densher are the unlucky couple, though their dilemma is personified by Kate's overbearing aunt ("Maud Lowder"). Mrs. Lowder wants Kate to marry somebody wealthy - which rules out Merton Densher - and behind closed doors, the couple discusses their option. Merton suggests Kate should marry someone else for their money. ("And then-well, I WILL talk with you. I'll resume relations.") Kate points out that the suggestion has a simple premise: that he's less afraid of her prospective husband than he is of her overbearing aunt Maud Lowder.

The dialogue reflects nuances in their larger social struggle. Like most Henry James novels, there's long paragraphs of description, creating a near-perfect understanding of each situation's tension. If Kate won't marry for money, perhaps there's another solution. Milly had once been in love with Merton. If he pays attention to her now...

But what if Milly discovers the plan? And if they somehow inherit her money, would they still want to marry? Henry James finds the drama waiting in the novel's simple premise - and he's got the patience to write it out. What would happen if Milly left them the money - but did it knowingly, out of compassion? Before they get there, Merton's conscience starts to bother him. He'd started on this path unknowingly, and the novel delights in describing his gradual awareness. And it wryly observes that once a man's lover has put a plan into action - and it's progressed to a certain point - it's very difficult to change course. James savors each dilemma with equal delight. For example, when Milly visits a doctor, she gets vague answers about her health, as though the answer lies in an implication.

But ultimately Merton Densher endures the same experience, determining from his lover and her Aunt Lowder what's expected before a man can marry.

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