The Beast in the Jungle
by Henry James
- First published
- 1903
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"The Beast in the Jungle" by Henry James is a novella published in 1903. It tells the story of John Marcher, a man obsessed with the belief that his life is destined for some catastrophic, spectacular event lurking in his future like a beast. His fixation prevents him from truly living or accepting the love of May Bartram, who patiently accompanies him through the years. This psychological parable explores loneliness, fate, and the tragic consequences of waiting for life instead of embracing it.
- Conduct of life
- Fate and fatalism
- Man-woman relationships
- Egoism
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #1093. The Beast in the Jungle on Wikipedia.
