Answer:
Henry James believed that a character's response to a given situation reveals their true nature and motivations.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Henry James, a character's actions and responses to situations are a reflection of their inner self and motivations. In his novels, he often explores the psychological complexities of his characters through their interactions with others and their environment.
For example, in "What Maisie Knew," James portrays the titular character as a sensitive and intelligent young girl who is caught in the middle of her parents' acrimonious divorce. Through Maisie's observations and reactions to the adults around her, James reveals her innate goodness and her desire for stability and love.
Similarly, in "The Turn of the Screw," James tells the story of a young governess who is hired to care for two children at a remote estate. As the governess struggles to understand the strange behavior of the children and the mysterious presence of a former employee, James uses her responses to the situation to reveal her own deep-seated fears and insecurities.
In both of these examples, James uses his characters' responses to situations to illuminate their inner lives and motivations, creating complex and nuanced portraits of human psychology.