Genre
Novel
Setting and Context
England and France, late 19th century
Narrator and Point of View
Third person omniscient narration
Tone and Mood
Innocent, tragic
Protagonist and Antagonist
Protagonist - Mrs. Wix, Antagonist - Ida and Beale Farange
Major Conflict
Maisie lacks stability, consistency, and love in her childhood, and seeks these things in many adult figures in her life as she is passed from home to home.
Climax
Maisie must decide whether to live with Sir Claude and Mrs. Beale or with Mrs. Wix., and she decides on the latter
Foreshadowing
James frequently hints at the future relationships of characters. For example, Maisie notes that Mrs. Beale and Sir Claude seem friendly and familiar with one another from their first meeting, hinting at their romantic relationship later in the book.
Understatement
There is often an understated tone regarding Maisie's parents' neglectful treatment of their child, since Maisie has never known anything different.
Allusions
Allusions are made to famous works of art witnessed by Maisie when she is taken to museums and to visit France.
Imagery
Maisie's parents and various guardians are described in great detail.
Paradox
Maisie feels that she at once has four parents and none, since her two biological parents and two step-parents often care more about feuding with one another than caring for her.
Parallelism
Maisie's parents and guardians exhibit similar behavior to one another, creating parallels in various chapters of Maisie's life.
