It is because these characters depend to such a high degree on their own sense of integrity that for them, victory has nothing to do with happiness. It has more to do with a settling within oneself, a movement inward that makes them whole. Their reward is not happiness — a word that is central in Austen's novels but is seldom used in James's universe. What James's characters gain is self-respect.


On Henry James and his novels - Reading Lolita in Tehran (2003)

Azar Nafisi Quotes

It is because these characters depend to such a high degree on their own sense of integrity that for them, victory has nothing to do with happiness....

It is because these characters depend to such a high degree on their own sense of integrity that for them, victory has nothing to do with happiness....

It is because these characters depend to such a high degree on their own sense of integrity that for them, victory has nothing to do with happiness....

It is because these characters depend to such a high degree on their own sense of integrity that for them, victory has nothing to do with happiness....