Sir Edmund Orme

Description

Born in New York and emigrating to London before the launch of his prolific career, Henry James had a long and successful career. He wrote twenty successful novels and more than 100 short stories throughout his career, becoming a highly influential and recognized author through titles like Daisy Miller, The Europeans or Washington Square. Sir Edmund Orme was written in 1891 as one of James’ lesser known, but quite successful ghost stories.

While James was not necessarily used to writing stories and novels revolving around supernatural themes, critics and readers alike agreed that Sir Edmund Olme is a unique and quite powerful ghost tale that captivates and entrances through its originality in a genre that was well-received and popular at the time.

Even though the story is quite grim, containing several deaths and a ghost that can only be seen by certain individuals, it is considered to be quite benign compared to many of the supernatural stories written at the end of the 19th century.

The tale is told by an unnamed narrator who has come across a written account presented by the main male protagonist of the story. While he admits that he has no proof to back up his claims, he elaborates a story about the ghost of Sir Edmund Orme which appears – unlike most spirits – in broad daylight, and in places that are quite ripe with public activity.

Gradually, we are introduced to Sir Edmund’s true purpose, which is to protect, rather than terrify. Although he appears to Mrs. Marden as a result of her cruelty toward Sir Edmund in the past, his goal is not to haunt her, but to prevent events from repeating themselves, and guiding her daughter toward making the right choice.

The story is quite symbolic from a psychological standpoint, exploring themes regarding the role of women, as well as difficulties associated with maintaining relationships in those days.
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