The Wings of the Dove

James sought to undermine traditional expectations of 19th-century novels, such as the use of demonstrative, emotional scenes designed to create pathos and melodrama. By refusing to provide these conventional emotional moments, James indirectly critiques the manipulative aspects of these literary devices. Milly acknowledges this reality, noting that Aunt Maud’s evasiveness—never plainly stating her meaning or intention—communicates her feelings more directly than any spoken explanation could’ve, noting: “nothing in fact would ever have been for her so direct as the evasion” (219). By populating the novel with secrets, silences, and things implied rather than directly stated, James creates intentional narrative absences that prevent the reader from having a full understanding of the situation at a given moment, much as the characters themselves are forced to interpret information through their own limited perspectives.

The lack of straightforward language throughout the work contributes to its density and complexity, leaving much of the narrative open to the reader’s interpretation. Some elements, such as the exact nature of Milly’s illness, are never shared. In other instances, the characters speak in euphemisms and allusions to the extent that not even their interlocutor fully understands what is being discussed, as when Kate’s language about her scheme is so opaque that Densher struggles to understand the gist of what she is saying. After Milly speaks to Kate and Densher at the National Gallery, she notes that “[s]he was to wonder in subsequent reflection what in the world they had actually said, since they had made such a success of what they didn’t say” (236). These moments establish a degree of subjectivity within the text as each character interprets events based on their own understanding, rather than with full knowledge of the situation.

The tension between direct and indirect language is best exemplified in the relationship between Kate and Densher. Densher often presses Kate to be more direct with her language; when he does so, Kate responds impatiently and evasively, as in this exchange:

‘Go to see Milly,’ she for all satisfaction repeated.

‘And what good will that do me?’

‘Try it and you’ll see.’

‘You mean you’ll manage to be there?’ Densher asked. ‘Say you are, how will that give us privacy?’

‘Try it—you’ll see,’ the girl once more returned. ‘We must manage as we can’ (261).

Densher repeatedly asks Kate clarifying questions. However, instead of responding, she repeats her vague direction to him that he do as she says and trust that he will “see” why she told him to do so later. Gradually, James reveals that Kate is pressuring Densher to court Milly in an attempt to inherit her fortune, even though Kate herself never explicitly gives these details. It takes Densher weeks to piece together exactly what Kate is telling him to do.

As a result of the indirect language used throughout the novel, the characters are left to interpret the narrative to the best of their ability, drawing layered and sometimes conflicting conclusions. No matter how well they read between the lines, there remain lacunae—gaps in understanding. For instance, Kate remains largely inscrutable. From her own perspective, she is simply doing what she must to survive and ensure her independence. It is never entirely clear whether she held genuine feelings for Milly or whether her entire countenance toward Milly is a calculated act. This indeterminacy about her motivations suggests, in part, that perhaps it is a mixture of both: She is both calculated and caring. The novel concludes, leaving multiple possible interpretations of Kate’s behavior, Milly’s illness, and Densher’s complicity in the scheme to acquire Milly’s fortune.