--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is an old-fashioned distinction…" description: "\"“There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of character and the novel of incident, which must have cost many a smile to the intending rom..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/henry-james-417_books_there-is-an-old-fashioned-distinction-be_503672.png" --- # There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of… ![“There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of character and the novel of incident, which must have cost many a smile to the intending romancer who was keen about his work. It appears to me as little to the point as the equally celebrated distinction between the novel and the romance…” quote by Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/henry-james-417_books_there-is-an-old-fashioned-distinction-be_503672.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/henry-james-417_books_there-is-an-old-fashioned-distinction-be_503672.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/916/henry-james-417_books_there-is-an-old-fashioned-distinction-be_503672.png) > ““There is an old-fashioned distinction between the novel of character and the novel of incident, which must have cost many a smile to the intending romancer who was keen about his work. It appears to me as little to the point as the equally celebrated distinction between the novel and the romance- to answer as little to any reality. There are bad novels and good novels, as there are bad pictures and good pictures; but that is the only distinction in which I see any meaning, and I can as little imagine speaking of a novel of character as I can imagine speaking of a picture of character. When one says picture, one says of character, when one says novel, one says of incident, and the terms may be transposed. What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character? What is a picture or a novel that is not of character? What else do we seek in it and find in it?”” [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. James argues that distinguishing between character-driven and plot-driven novels is artificial; both aspects are interdependent and essential to storytelling. **In simple terms:** Character and plot are inseparable in a novel. Key Takeaway Recognize both character and incident in literature. Themes literature storytelling character plot analysis Mood contemplative analytical Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - reading novels - writing fiction - literary criticism - teaching literature Key Concepts interdependence narrative theory aesthetic judgment Questions to Reflect On - How do character and incident shape each other? - Can a work focus solely on one without losing depth? A Different Perspective The distinction may still be useful for specific analytical purposes. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Character Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-novel-935283/) [Novel Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-character-4284032/) [Novel Incident](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-incident-4284030/) [Novel Says](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel-says-3255181/) [Picture Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/picture-novel-4284031/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) ## Related quotes > [For my part, the good novel of character is the novel I can always pick up; but the good novel of incident is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/for-my-part-the-good-novel-of-character-is-the-novel-i-can-always/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [What is either a picture or a novel that is not character?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/what-is-either-a-picture-or-a-novel-that-is-not-character/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [You can be interested in a Jane Smiley novel whether or not anyone says a word. 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He has never done a thing in his life exept play games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/it-is-no-wonder-he-wins-every-game-he-has-never-done-a-thing-in-his/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [Make (the reader) think the evil, make him think it for himself, and you are released from weak specifications. 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There are bad novels and good novels, as there are bad pictures and good pictures; but that is the only distinction in which I see any meaning, and I can as little imagine speaking of a novel of character as I can imagine speaking of a picture of character. When one says picture, one says of character, when one says novel, one says of incident, and the terms may be transposed. What is character but the determination of incident? What is incident but the illustration of character? What is a picture or a novel that is not of character? 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