Quote 1
“That’s
what I mean by his chance. . . . And to see that he does not miss
it is, in a word, what I’ve come out for.”
She let it all sink in. “What you’ve come
out for then is simply to render him an immense service.”
Well, poor Strether was willing to take
it so. “Ah if you like.”
This quotation comes at the end of the
opening of Book Second. Here, Strether attempts to explain to Miss
Gostrey the full extent of his involvement with Chad in Paris. Miss
Gostrey relates to Strether in a knowing way, appearing to understand
more about Strether’s mission than Strether himself does. In addition,
Miss Gostrey seems able to foresee the true importance of the experiences
Strether is soon to have in Paris. Strether, in contrast, seems
unable to see any glimmer of what the future holds for him. Miss
Gostrey speaks wryly, almost sarcastically, when she calls the potential
effect of Strether’s mission an “immense service” for Chad. Her
tone stems from the fact that she assumes that Chad is not only
not in need of any service but also that he will be unable to appreciate
Strether’s attempt at offering him help. Also, Miss Gostrey presents
an awareness of the falsity of what those in Woollett seeas
“service.” Miss Gostrey understands that Strether is espousing provincial,
ignorant, meddling ideas. Miss Gostrey, who is aware that the social
landscape of Woollett is quite different from that of Paris, is
quietly mocking “poor Strether.” Throughout the novel, she will
act as his translator—between two cultural languages, between two
social worlds.
This exchange stands as the first instance of Miss Gostrey
acting in her role as Strether’s confidant. Miss Gostrey serves
as the voice of doubt that counter-balances Strether’s constantly
overflowing enthusiasm. Initially, Strether needs her eyes and thoughts
to process the events he witnesses and participates in. As an observer,
he is naïve and too easily swayed by the manner in which people
color the things they present to him. (For example, Strether immediately assumes
that Chad has no lover when Chad arrives alone. Miss Gostrey, however,
sees through Chad’s evasiveness and convinces Strether to think
otherwise.) Under Miss Gostrey’s tutelage, Strether develops the
ability to discern the truth behind the social interactions he observes.
By the end of the novel, he will even see through Miss Gostrey’s
actions and understand the motivations that lie underneath her willingness
to dedicate so much of her time and energy to helping him. Indeed,
he will discover the nature of her feelings for him and realize
that she has fallen in love. But during the conclusion of The
Ambassadors, Strether cannot give himself to Miss Gostrey,
because he understands her too well. He sees right through her desire
for him, just as she, ironically, has trained him to do.
