Henry James, the author of “The Wings of the Dove,” tells the story of Kate Croy and Merton Densher, who conspire to marry a dying heiress, Milly Theale, for her inheritance. Through the intricate plot details and varying character perspectives he presents, James subtly critiques the moral ambiguity of manipulating and deceiving another person who is ill for one’s own financial and romantic gain. The author explores the theme of using Milly Theale’s illness as a means to an end, for personal advantage, through Kate and Densher’s scheme to marry Milly so that Densher can first marry Kate.
In the story’s opening scenes, James provides insights into Kate and Densher’s scheme through subtle exposition and dialogue. The reader learns that Kate is deeply in love with Densher (James 38). Nonetheless, as a woman of modest means in her society at the time, she lacked the financial resources to marry. Through Kate’s internal thoughts and plans shared with Densher, the reader is made privy to their calculated plot and can assess how difficult plans may be easily communicated and realized when thoroughly planned.
Kate realizes she can manipulate the situation by having Densher propose to Milly for her money, on the condition that he marry Kate after Milly’s inevitable death from her unknown illness. As Kate says, “Ah you naturally want to marry her to a duke and are eager to smooth away any hitch” (James 51). This quotation lays bare the deceitful nature of their plan. In addition, it shows Kate and Densher’s willingness to cynically use Milly’s illness and misfortune for their own selfish romantic and financial gains without concern for Milly’s well-being, who is the victim of the conspiracy.
As the narrative unfolds, James devotes significant time and detail to developing Milly Theale into a portrait of selfless kindness and generosity. Through her interactions with other characters and acts of compassion towards those in need, Milly is established as a woman of colossal kindness. This serves to underscore the injustice of Kate and Densher cynically manipulating and deceiving her about her illness for their own selfish aims.
James describes the woman as follows: “When Milly smiled it was a public event – when she didn’t it was a chapter of history” (72). However, the reader, privy to Kate’s internal thoughts and conversations among the schemers, can realize the truth. Kate and Densher’s actions were motivated more by greed and a desire to benefit financially and romantically from Milly’s misfortune, but not by generosity toward her, as Milly perceives. This disparity between how Milly understands the situation and what the reader is shown highlights James’s subtle critique of the moral ambiguity and harm that can result from deception.
Henry James, through his complex narrative structure and changing character viewpoints, deftly exposes the ethical murkiness of exploiting or deceiving someone, even if they are unwell, for personal advantage. Kate and Densher’s calculated scheme underscores the author’s exploration of how deception and the exploitation of illness can be done under the guise of generosity but ultimately stem from selfishness. James leaves no doubt that their actions are motivated more by greed than care for Milly, as evidenced by the discrepancy between Milly’s perception and what the reader understands to be true. Overall, the story provides a nuanced critique of using a person for one’s own advantage through deception, even in matters of love and money.
Work Cited
James, Henry. The Wings of the Dove. Vol. 1, Books on Demand, 2018.