Henry James THe alter Ego
... Spencer Brydon, the main character in “The Jolly Corner” by Henry James, is no different. ... The occupation of his house and a newly born obsession with unearthing his alter ego seem to possess his spirit. ... These emotions help him to recognize his alter ego, come to terms with himself, and appreciate who he is in ways he could have never imagined. ... This helps him come to terms with his alter ego because he realizes that even if he had gone a different route of life; change is inevitable. ... “It comes over me that I had then a strange alter ego deep down somewhere within me…” His belief in this alter ego fuels his thoughts and dreams for the weeks that ensue and are the cause of his preoccupation. ... Even when faced with encountering his alter ego, he questions his own fortitude in following through with meeting him. ... ” Spencer is obsessed with meeting his alter ego, as he is obsessed with what his life could have been if he had only stayed in America. ... He is obsessed with finding out what his life would be like, and believes that his alter ego has had a better, more fulfilling life filled with more money and opportunites. ... ” Brydon sees himself as what he, or rather, his alter ego, has become. ... “…He had been miraculously carried back…” The journey that he had undergone to find his alter ego had resulted in his knowledge of how vile he must have been, but now there is a change; he is a new man.