The Figure in the Carpet

Description

The Figure in the Carpet: Attaining a Deeper Understanding of the Meaning of Literary Authorship



A story in line with Henry James’ remarkable ability to delve deep into the meaning of consciousness and morality, The Figure in the Carpet is a short story published in 1896, that speaks of the differences between the perception of an author and that of his readers, as well as about the process of conveying the core essence of each author’s work.

The Figure in the Carpet begins with a young book reviewer who keeps reading through the literature of Hugh Vereker, an acclaimed author of the time, and soon becomes obsessed with his work. As he gets the opportunity to meet the illustrious author, the young reviewer is recognized by Vereker as a fellow literature enthusiast, and the author entrusts him with a secret that he had never previously shared with any of his readers.

In the story, the young reviewer is the narrator, and his name is never actually revealed. However, we learn quite a lot about him, as his passionate words about Vereker’s work win the author over.

Of course, Vereker’s secret is a challenge in and of itself – not only for the narrator, but for James’ readers as well. It is the center idea on which Henry James supports his story, and it basically implies that the author’s intention when writing a book or a story, is likened to the image hidden in an intricate Persian rug. Even though his readers may get close to intuitively grasping it, they are never able to fully understand or even see it properly.

The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James is a remarkably insightful and enlightening book that still holds true today, well over a century after it was published. James’ timeless arguments are compelling, as well as thought-provoking, due to their simplicity and outstanding depth.
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