Movement from Innocence to Experience in Henry James’ What Maisie Knew

Abstract

In Henry James’ What Maisie Knew, an attempt has been made to analyze a move from innocence age to experience by its major character Maisie Farrange. Every human being leads a life of innocence which is supposed to be directed by unconsciousness and gradually experience brings the consciousness in the human mind, and the same is the case with Maisie too. At the very beginning of the novel, the protagonist is an innocent child, rooted in unconsciousness. When she faces the social and familial limitation, challenges and obstacles, she becomes conscious of her individual identity and her relation with the members of the family and others.