The Golden Bowl

Prince Amerigo is an impoverished Italian aristocrat, and his family have nothing left but their name. He reflects on his hometown of Rome and how the empire of the past has crumbled away, replaced by the imperial strength of the British Empire. Like the Roman Empire, however, Amerigo’s family name endures his current poverty and remains glorious enough to ensure that his aristocratic status endures. In this respect, he is unique among the characters in the novel: Amerigo is at home in the upper echelons of British society, even as an Italian. He was raised in the privileged surroundings of the Italian aristocracy, which gives him a sense of entitlement and an innate understanding of the social etiquette of the ruling elite. Amerigo feels entitled to luxury even though he is relatively poor. He embodies the theme of Outsiders while easily navigating the insider world of the British elite.

Despite the status of his family name, Amerigo is not immune to the practical realities of modern society. He and Charlotte abandoned their previous relationship because they were too poor. He settles for Maggie, choosing the pragmatic wealthy spouse rather than the woman he truly loves. Maggie similarly loves Amerigo but she, like many other characters, takes advantage of his status to gain entry to the British elite. The transactional nature of this marriage helps to explain why Amerigo is so quick to begin his affair with Charlotte. Amerigo feels guilty about his affair, but his love for Charlotte is such that he is willing to betray his transactional marriage.

Amerigo is unique among the characters in that he is the only person who understands the extent of Maggie’s knowledge. Rather than being angry or ashamed, he is impressed. He returns to Maggie, focusing his attention on her and her alone, because she now interests him. After the confrontation, Amerigo sees his wife in a new light, welcoming a fresh fascination that gives the marriage future potential. He returns to Maggie not because he feels guilty, but because he feels invigorated. This subtle distinction is an example of his aristocratic privilege, in which he feels himself immune from the rules and etiquette that govern so many lives. To Amerigo, his marriage only becomes interesting when his wife is willing to deceive him.

Charlotte Stant is a young American woman from a relatively poor middle-class family. In the novel, she is never shown to be reliant on her family. Instead, she must work hard to build social relationships that allow her to enjoy the lifestyle to which she aspires. In this respect, she is the opposite of Amerigo. They both want to enjoy lavish lifestyles, but Amerigo feels entitled to it while Charlotte understands how much work it takes. Charlotte and Amerigo’s material poverty makes them a poor match in the context of their ambitions, so they must sacrifice their official future together so that they can make marriages that provide them with the wealth and comfort they desire.

When Charlotte marries Adam, she takes to this role with relish, quickly appointing herself as the manager of all of Adam’s social relations. She plays this role perfectly, charming everyone she meets to the point where they are not concerned about her husband’s infrequent experiences. The adeptness with which Charlotte navigates these social situations allows her to take what she really wants. She presents herself as unimpeachable, which is why she is able to abscond occasionally with Amerigo and revel in the true passion that is absent from their respective marriages.

The renewed version of Maggie is Charlotte’s match in social performance. Charlotte accepts her husband’s decision to return to America. She chooses pragmatism, the natural result of a life striving for wealth and status, which her marriage to Adam provides. Charlotte settles for a content but passionless life rather than risk everything for the man she truly loves. She gets everything that she wants, apart from the one thing that might matter most: Amerigo.