Between 1881 and 1904 three major jamesian works register the incidence of the cross as a symbolic image. By applying Mauron's analysis based on textual superposition, the emergence of a set of features can be observed. Those characteristics respond to an obssessive image lying underneath the text: that of Queen Elizabeth I. The transposition of values represented by her historical figure makes available a correct interpretation of the Jamesian text. Three simple binomies: Catholicism vs. Protestantism; virgin vs. mother; woman vs. queen, define all three characters attached to Jamesís crosses, Isabel Archer, Adela Gereth and Maggie Verver. The feminine character responds thus to James's conception of the woman as virgin, wife and mother in accordance to the impression that Mary James projected on his son.
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