The Private Life

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''The private life'' expresses what was probably one of James's most deeply held beliefs about art in all its forms: that there is not necessarily any link between the personality of the creator and the content of the created.

This tale is often classified as one of James's ghost stories. But its dramatic weakness also contributes to making the 'two' Clare Vawdreys and the 'disappearing' Mellifont both unconvincing, and actually unnecessary. It would be perfectly reasonable and persuasive to have a talented writer who does not shine socially, and the sort of pompous stuffed shirt we take Mellifont to be who is reduced to nothing when he is alone.