We explored Henry James' esoteric essay ,"The Art of Fiction" and then discussed how James' explication of his art form manifests in the novel's narrative technique. I outlined the main points of the essay explaining how James claims it is the writer's impression of experience that conveys reality, i.e. deriving the unseen from the seen. Joshua astutely noted the arrogance inherent in James' assertion that only the intelligent have this ability. We then discussed the novel's depiction of the differing social and cultural norms of America and Europe ,and began to address the novel's operative inquiry :is Daisy an innocent, a flirt , or a rebel.