The Aspern Papers

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1888

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Before You Read

Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

How does James represent American identity and the expatriate experience in Europe in the novella? What significance does this have in relation to the themes of The Aspern Papers?

How does James represent gender in the novel, particularly in terms of the narrator’s view of the Misses Bordereau? How could gender studies and feminist theories be used to interpret the novella?

The novella includes numerous references to money, which the narrator finds upsetting, as it contravenes his abstract and idealized impression of Juliana. How does James represent transactional relationships in the novella? How does this relate to its key themes?