The Ambassadors Character Analysis

By surrounding himself with images of beauty associated with Old World glamour, Chad is able to manipulate his own social status. Strether begins to believe Chad’s appearance has changes since he left for Europe and describes him favorably as “strong and sleek and gay, easy and fragrant and fathomless, with happy health in his colour, and pleasant and silver in his thick young hair” (James 223). Although it is noted that the only thing that is physically different about Chad is the streak of gray in his hair, Strether and Maria remark on an element of refinement regarding his appearance. Through staging and placemen, Chad manages to trick Strether in associating the finery of the objects and culture and class he has surrounded himself
Newsome. However while their values are the same, their methods differ and reveal an emerging model of business. In attempting to get their way, both use ambassadors to perform for them. While Strether is initially the only named ambassador, Chad has a string of ambassadors whom he enlists to sway his mother’s ambassador and impact her at home (Higgins 165). In using Strether as a vehicle to reach his business-focused mother, Chad seems to demonstrate his capability of persuasion and manipulation. Using others further falsifies appearances and helps Chad convey the impression of self-refinement. The motif of ambassadors is “linked with the motif of dramatic acting and performance – the means of creating an illusion of reality” which is the epitome of Chad’s performance (Higgins 166). Bilham and Miss Barrace are the most notable of Chad’s ambassadors as they engage directly with Strether. Bilham continually assures Strether that Chad’s romantic attachment in Europe is virtuous, when this is untrue. Strether’s belief in the virtue behind the affair with this mysterious woman becomes the focal point upon which he allows himself to be won over by Chad and the experience. Strether’s admiration of Madame de Vionnet changes his function in the text and he switches roles, becoming an ambassador for Chad. He praises Chad heavily to the his audience of Sarah Pocock and Waymarsh explaining, “well, the performance could only go on.” (James 279). Strether calling his change in alliances a “performance” reveals the staged mannerisms of the entire affair. Strether’s role reversal draws into question the future of American business as he abandons the hardworking businesswomen and is won over by Chad’s flamboyant display. Similar to his mother, Chad enlists and manages those around him like a company. However the ethics behind his showy display of advertisement