Despite his high literary reputation as novelist, Henry James longed for a larger, more lucrative audience. His longing led to an attempt at success on the stage. But the result was a famous flop. Given this reversal of fortune, would James, if he were still here, appreciate the irony that his novels have now found wider popularity in an art form of which he may perhaps have been unaware—the movies! A 2021 filmography lists 210 James-based productions worldwide.

This artistic adaptation raises questions: What makes James’s fiction attractive to film makers? Is it his sense of picture and scene, his obsession with perception and viewpoint, or his insightful depiction of character? And, what impact has film had on the reading of his novels? To explore these questions, this course offers a novel-to-film experience of four of his fictions: Washington Square, The Turn of the Screw, The Europeans, and The Portrait of a Lady, directed respectively by William Wyler, Jack Clayton, James Ivory, and Jane Campion. Were these directors able to capture James’s spirit and style, and to broaden our appreciation of his singular aesthetic vision? 

Books to Purchase: 

• Washington Square, Oxford World’s Classics  
• The Europeans, Penguin Classics
• The Turn of the Screw, Penguin Classics 
• The Portrait of a Lady, Oxford World’s Classics 

Please note that this course has a maximum enrollment of 16 students and that TMI does not allow participants to audit courses for free.

Location: Atwater

First Session: Thursday, January 16th, 2025

Course Length: 12 weeks, Thursdays, 10:00 to 12:00 p.m.

Discussion Team: Andrew Byers, Irene Menear, Faye Trecartin

Degree Credit: 3 credits

Total Course Fee: 
$140.00 (New Students)
$140.00 (Special Bring-A-Friend Promotion: For Returning Students who bring a New Student to TMI. Register by phone.)*
$200.00 (Returning Students)**

*Note on Bring-A-Friend Promotion for Returning Students: The special 140.00 price is applied immediately if the friend, the New Student, registers first. If the New Student has not yet registered, the regular 200.00 will be charged, and the discount will be refunded when the New Student registers. The discount can also be turned into a credit for a future course.

**Includes Standard Tuition + Admin Fee.

For 12-week courses, fees are refundable in full before the second session. If the participant withdraws after the second course, they will be charged a $50 fee. There is no refund after the third course has passed. Please note that non-attendance does not constitute a withdrawal.

Students pursuing studies for credit are encouraged to consult with their advisers as they register for courses.

Course leaders, and students wishing to use credit vouchers, should call (514) 935-9585 to pay by phone or to schedule an appointment to pay in person.