Describe symbolism in The Golden Bowl by Henry James

The golden bowl is a highly symbolic object throughout the entire novel. The bowl is first seen when Charlotte and the Prince go on their shopping trip together. Although the bowl is to be a wedding gift to Maggie, Charlotte speaks in the store of giving it as a gift to the Prince. The Prince seems to recognize right away that the bowl is flawed and walks away from it. As the shopkeeper continues to press Charlotte to buy the bowl, she realizes there must be something wrong with it and also leaves the store without making a purchase.

Note that the bowl is made of crystal and gilded with gold. It is very beautiful to look at and appears tempting. In truth, however, the flaw in the crystal makes it weaker and causes it to crack easily if dropped. Note that Charlotte suggests to the storekeeper that crystal might crack if thrown on a marble floor. This statement closely mirrors what actually happens to the bowl when Fanny drops it in front of Maggie. When the bowl is dropped, it splits into three perfect pieces. The text states that if Maggie had something to bind the bowl together, the broken pieces would have fit perfectly.

Therefore, the bowl is a symbol of the Prince and Charlotte's adultery because it is through the purchase of the bowl that Maggie learns of their unfaithfulness. However, it is also a symbol of marriage in general. Marriage between two people can be a beautiful relationship, but even the best marriages have flaws. These flaws cause these marriages to be susceptible to breaking up if they encounter any stress or pressure, as the golden bowl breaks when dropped on the floor. These marriages, however, can be put back together if there is love and faith to hold them together.