Critical Evaluation
The maturity and assurance of these early essays is striking. James obviously benefitted from a thorough saturation in French literature, and he was not intimidated by reputation or other critics. He would often return to some of the writers discussed in this book, particularly Balzac and George Sand, and occasionally modify his opinions.
James never thought the last word could be said about any writer deserving of extended review. His later essays on the novelists considered in this book would sometimes show greater maturity and knowledge. But he always treated his fellow writers with an independent, inquiring spirit free from preconceptions and allegiances to narrow critical doctrines.
Read more about this topic: French Poets And Novelists
Famous quotes containing the words critical and/or evaluation:
“The critical spirit never knows when to stop meddling.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Good critical writing is measured by the perception and evaluation of the subject; bad critical writing by the necessity of maintaining the professional standing of the critic.”
—Raymond Chandler (1888–1959)