Published in 1904, The Golden Bowl is a historical fiction novel written by American-British author Henry James. The novel explores the politics of marriage including secrets, unsaid grievances, and expectations. It has a film adaptation with the same title directed by James Ivory and starring Uma Thurman, and Nick Nolte.
The story focuses on two relationships involving a father and daughter and their respective partners who were previous lovers. Initially, Prince Amerigo—an Italian nobleman—had a relationship with Charlotte in Rome before being engaged to Maggie. Maggie is the daughter of a wealthy widower, Adam, thereby a good marriage prospect for the Prince, unlike Charlotte. The two women have been friends from a young age but Maggie is unaware of Charlotte's previous relationship with her fiancé. After their marriage, Maggie implores his father to propose to Charlotte in order to have a companion. However, the father and daughter focus on maintaining their bond that they neglect their individual partners. Amerigo and Charlotte engage in an adulterous affair, which Maggie later learns of but keeps it a secret. She works to repair her marriage while seeking a diplomatic maneuver to save the relationship.
The titular golden bowl acts as a metaphor and foreshadows the politics in the marital relationships. At first, Amerigo notices the crack in the beautiful bowl and refuses to purchase it but Maggie would later buy it. The flaw highlights the strain in their relationship that the husband recognizes yet Maggie is willing to fight and sacrifice to repair it. The narrative demonstrates the difference between renewed love that improves with new lessons and fleeting desire or lust.
