Women and Witchcraft
This novel is a story about feminism in the decades after the end of the Civil War. There is no critical consensus view as to whether the novel indicates James was a supporter or opponent of the movement, but the recurrence of one specific instance of imagery definitely suggests the latter. “He had a moment of almost complete illusion…He seemed to see himself, to feel himself, in that very chair, in the evening of the future, reading some indispensable book in the still lamp-light—Mrs. Luna knew where to get such pretty mellowing shades…She looked up presently from her work, their eyes met, and she smile…he gave himself a little imperceptible shake, which, however, enough to break the spell.” The cumulative effect of the imagery leading to the single word which is italicized here for emphasis—feeling caught in an illusion, Ransom seeing himself as if a disembodied observer, the psychological effect of lighting, Mrs. Luna’s voiceless communication using her facial features—is one which engenders a subconscious link between women with witchcraft. It almost seems as Ransom really has fallen victim to a love spell cast by Mrs. Lunda. Accusations of witchcraft, of course, has a long and sordid history of being a convenient excuse killing women seen as causing trouble for or manipulating men. This is neither the first not the last time that the word “spell” will be used specifically to imply a special power women exert over men.
Boston Marriage
Boston Marriage is a term used to describe two women living together without benefit of a male companion. Which means it was really a secret code used to describe a lesbian relationship. Scholarly criticism of the novel has long argued that the relationship between Olive Chancellor and Verena Tarrant is implicitly coded as more than platonic friendship. A description of a typical night at the home the two women come to share is especially telling. “Verena's share in these proceedings was not active; she hovered over them, smiling, listening, dropping occasionally a fanciful though never an idle word, like some gently animated image placed there for good omen. It was understood that her part was before the scenes, not behind….and that the work over which Miss Chancellor presided so efficiently was a general preparation of the platform.” This imagery presents a relationship that is strikingly comparable to that which often exists between husband and wife. In this case, of course, Verena’s in inactive share the duties is presented as one coincident with the stereotypical wifely fluttering about in the background as Olive Chancellor is presented as engaging in husbandly work. References to Verena’s hovering, flashing a pretty smile, being seen and not heard and, when speaking, knowing enough to only speak when necessary is not just imagery of a Boston Marriage, but suggests that there is little difference between that and the more traditional concept of married life.
"Bostonian"
It would be perfectly natural to assume that the title of this novel refers specifically—and only—to people who hail from the city of Boston. In fact, the title of the novel is imagery. “Bostonian” is used in this novel metaphorically far more often than it is literally. Just a few examples include “she was yet a typical Bostonian, and as a typical Bostonian she could not fail to belong in some degree to a `set.’…A Bostonian couldn't imagine that one didn't want to know, and that was their idea of ingratiating themselves…the general character of the place struck him as Bostonian…`Is it something very Bostonian? I should like to see that,’ said Basil Ransom.” This is a recurrence of imagery that suggest Boston is more a state of mind that could exist anywhere than just a specific city in Massachusetts. For the most part, it is Basil Ransom who is expressing this view, but over the course of the novel it become contagious so that even actual Bostonians begin viewing things through Basil’s perspective.
Abolition
Imagery is directly used to constantly make a connection between the abolitionist movement of the pre-Civil War era and the feminist movement of the post-Civil War. One significant character is described as being there at the beginning of the abolitionist movement. Other examples of the imagery which makes this connection include “Mrs. Tarrant had passed her youth in the first Abolitionist circles…were not the Abolitionists principally females?...`And I want so much to see an old Abolitionist; I have never laid eyes on one,’ Basil Ransom added.” It should be noted that Basil Ransom was a slaveholding plantation owner who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. The juxtaposition in the imagery between association of abolitionism with women and Basil having lived without ever associating with anyone in the movement is quite significant. It is this imagery which stands in direct contrast to the witchcraft connection mentioned above. That imagery is interpreted in a very anti-feminist way and with reason. The imagery connecting women to the abolition movement carries the subtle undertones that women are also slaves in need of emancipation. This perspective is why some critics argue that James’ portrayal of feminism is actually more supportive and positive than negative and deprecatory.
