The Coxon Fund
by Henry James
'The Coxon Fund ' Summary
Having made a promise to her now-deceased husband, Lady Coxon has for years been seeking to bestow a sum of 13,000 pounds upon a talented intellectual whose potential has been hampered by lack of money. Having failed to find such a person, Lady Coxon tells Anvoy that upon her death the money will be left to her, and she must carry on the quest.
Anvoy's father suffers heavy financial losses and loses most of what he has. He dies, and shortly afterwards Lady Coxon dies. Anvoy, having lost nearly all her wealth, has only the 13,000 pounds from Lady Coxon, with a moral but not legal obligation to give it away. Gravener urges her to keep the money, as it could be used to buy them a house once they are married. She refuses, and their relationship becomes strained. Later, she entertains the idea of giving the money to Saltram, who Gravener despises as a fraud and "not a gentleman." Eventually their engagement is broken off.
Finally, the unnamed narrator is given a sealed letter and asked to give it to Anvoy. The letter is understood to contain a denunciation of Saltram's most immoral acts. The narrator must decide whether to blight Saltram's prospects by delivering the letter. He is willing to do so if it will save his friend Gravener's engagement with Anvoy, but Gravener is unable to assure him of this.
Eventually he does offer the letter to Anvoy, but Anvoy declines to read it. She awards the Coxon Fund to Saltram, who lives off it exactly as he lived off his friends, producing nothing of intellectual value. Thus the only result of the award is the Mulvilles and others lose the pleasure of Saltram's conversation.
Book Details
Language
EnglishOriginal Language
EnglishPublished In
1894Genre/Category
Tags/Keywords
Author
Henry James
America, Britain
Henry James was born in New York City on April 15, 1843, into a wealthy and intellectually stimulating family. His father, Henry James Sr., was a Swedenborgian philosopher and his mother, Mary Roberts...
More on Henry JamesDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
- Select Speed
Related books
In Search of Mademoiselle by George Gibbs
Embark on a captivating adventure through the intrigue of 17th century France as George Gibbs's "In Search of Mademoiselle" unveils a tale of mistaken...
The Greater Inclination by Edith Wharton
The Greater Inclination was the earliest collection of short fiction by Edith Wharton. Published by Charles Scribner's Sons on 25 March 1899 . The col...
The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories by Guy de Maupassant
Explore the dark and twisted world of Guy de Maupassant, one of the greatest masters of the short story. The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: Th...
The Figure in the Carpet by Henry James
"The Figure in the Carpet" is a short story by American writer Henry James. It is told in the first person; the narrator, whose name is never revealed...
The Price of Love by Arnold Bennett
Rachel Louise Fleckring works for the elderly Mrs Maldon, and although with the woman for only a short time, she is taken into the heart of the family...
The Black Candle by Emily Murphy
This is a groundbreaking book that shines a light on the interconnected issues of drug addiction and prostitution, unearthing the societal perils that...
Bread by Charles G. Norris
It follows the life of a woman from young adulthood to middle age between the years of 1905 to 1922 in New York City. She is a stenographer, has chose...
The Scarecrow and Other Stories by G. Ranger Wormser
In this, author invites readers on a thought-provoking journey through a collection of captivating tales. Each story explores the intricate workings o...
The Duel by Anton Chekhov
The Duel is a novella by Anton Chekhov originally published in 1891; it was adapted for the screen by Iosif Kheifits in 1973 (as The Bad Good Man, sta...
The Adventures of a Cat, and a Fine Cat Too! by Alfred Elwes
It is a charming and delightful children's book. First published in 1857, this classic tale is still beloved by readers of all ages today. The story f...
Reviews for The Coxon Fund
No reviews posted or approved, yet...