The Pupil

The Pupil

The Pupil is a classic novella by Henry James . Published in 1891, it tells the story of a young American boy, Pemberton, and his tutor, Morgan Moreen, who come from vastly different backgrounds. While Pemberton is from a wealthy family and has been educated abroad, Morgan is from a poor family and has never had the chance to learn. Despite their differences, the two form a close bond as Morgan helps Pemberton navigate the complexities of life and love. With its themes of friendship, education, and social class, The Pupil is a timeless work of literature and an excellent example of James’s classic style. Read this classic novella to explore how two people from different backgrounds can form a strong bond and how education can open doors and empower people. Henry James (1843 – 1916) was an American-born British writer whose works of fiction and literary criticism are widely considered to be some of the greatest of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the foremost authors of the Realist movement, and continues to inspire literary scholars and new readers alike. James's legacy as one of the most important writers of the 19th and early 20th centuries is securely enshrined in the canon of English literature. He wrote novels and stories that were both psychologically complex and conceptually challenging, most famously The Portrait of a Lady , The Wings of the Dove , and The Ambassadors . He also wrote among the most influential essays and criticism of the day, crafting works that explored the properties of modern literature and influenced generations of writers and thinkers. From his criticism evolved the ideas of writerly intention and the role of the artist in society – ideas that remain powerful and relevant today. James's work has been praised for his unlimited capacity to explore complex relationships between people, as well as his efforts to draw connections between art and life. He is remembered for his deepening exploration of consciousness, his blend of realism and fantasy, and his evocative use of language. His works and ideas remain hugely influential in literary circles, offering a guide and a timeless source of inspiration to many generations of readers.