ROLE OF MILLY THEALE IN THE WINGS OF THE DOVE BY HENRY JAMES

Abstract

As Milly Theale is modelled on the memory of James' cousin, by making her a character in the novel, he is paying a glowing tribute to his cousin who remained vividly present in his mind long after her death. So great was his love and devotion for Minny Temple that he devoted the last chapter of his most personal book Notes of a Son and Brother to the memory of his cousin. His claim that Minny's death marked the end of his and his brother William's youth shows his deepest attachment with his cousin. To perpetuate the memory of Minny he sought to create the character of Milly Theale, hoping in this way "to lay the ghost by wrapping it... in the beauty and dignity of art.